Biblical archaeology exposed: New season of hit documentary series premieres on VisionTV May 16

Simcha Jacobovici is The Naked Archaeologist.

In the second season of this world premiere documentary series for VisionTV, the three-time Emmy Award-winning producer and director (The Lost Tomb of Jesus) delves even deeper into archaeological mysteries and Biblical history.

Shot on location in Israel, Jordan and Italy, this new season of The Naked Archaeologist airs Friday nights on VisionTV, starting May 16, at 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. ET / 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. PT.

Fast, funny and irreverent – think the Ali G of archaeology – Jacobovici continues to pose the questions no one dares to ask: What other miracle workers lived at the time of Jesus? Did a bunch of nouveau riche Nabateans build the spectacular city of Petra, recently named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World? And did the Biblical prophet Balaam really have a talking ass?*

Simcha Jacobovici, the Gemini Award-nominated host of The Naked Archaeologist, is once again on the move, traveling to new digs, revealing new finds, and testing out new theories with the world’s leading Biblical archaeologists and scholars. Leaving no stone unturned in his quest, and debunking many commonly held truisms along the way, Jacobovici goes underground in Rome’s catacombs, scales mountains in Petra, and walks the shores of the Galilee.

“My goal,” he says, “is to demystify the Bible in general, and archaeology in particular – to brush away the cobwebs and burst academic bubbles.”

Says Mark Prasuhn, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President, Programming for VisionTV: “This new season will take the viewer on spectacular adventures and will showcase Simcha Jacobovici’s unique wit and humour. At the same time, it will deliver real insight into what present-day archaeology can tell us about the Biblical world.”

For more information on VisionTV documentary programming, please visit www.visiontv.ca.

To enjoy an advance look at the new season, tune in on Monday, May 5 at 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. ET / 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. PT for a special airing of the two-part episode “Chasing the Temple Booty,” part of VisionTV’s week-long programming event to honour the 60th anniversary of Israel.

* That is to say, a loquacious female donkey.

The Naked Archaeologist: Season Two Episode Guide

“The Would-be Messiah”
Friday, May 16
One hundred years after Jesus was crucified, a warrior hailed by rabbis as the Jewish messiah led a massive rebellion against Roman occupation. Who was this would-be messiah? The Naked Archaeologist reveals the story of the rabbis' best-kept secret.

“The Search for St. Peter”
Friday, May 23
At the Vatican in Rome stands the most iconic Christian church in the world: St. Peter's Basilica. It is named for the one-time fisherman who became the bearded bouncer controlling the pearly gates of heaven. According to Christian tradition, St. Peter is buried deep in the catacombs underneath the basilica. But is there any archaeological proof? In this episode, the Naked Archaeologist traces the final footsteps of St. Peter.

“A Nabatean By Any Other Name”
Friday, May 30
What do a lost city, a forgotten empire, a deodorant and Moses all have in common? The Nabateans, an ancient and mysterious people, built the beautiful hidden city of Petra as the capital of their trading empire in the first century BCE. It was an empire founded on the trade in frankincense, which was used as, among other things, a deodorant. But who were the Nabateans? The Naked Archaeologist decides to find out, and along the way discovers a surprising link to Moses and the Exodus.

“Chasing the Temple Booty” – Part One
Friday, June 6
3,000 years ago, Jerusalem was home to King Solomon's Temple: for the Jews, the holiest temple in the entire world. It housed priceless treasures symbolizing communication between God and humankind – the Ark of the Covenant, a pair of silver trumpets, a bejewelled golden table and a massive golden menorah – along with billions of dollars worth of gold bricks. To control these objects was to control heaven, the seas and everything in between. But what happened to the temple and its treasure? In this episode, the Naked Archaeologist tracks the booty from Jerusalem to Rome.
** Catch a special advance broadcast of this episode on Monday, May 5 at 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. ET / 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. PT **

“Chasing the Temple Booty” – Part Two
Friday, June 13
In this episode, the Naked Archaeologist continues his quest to find the treasure looted from the Temple in Jerusalem in 70CE. Exciting new clues lead him from Rome back to Jerusalem: Has a 2,000-year-old mystery been solved?
** Catch a special advance broadcast of this episode on Monday, May 5 at 10:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. PT **

“The Giants of Genesis”
Friday, June 20
Genesis 6:4 says: "There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown." Who were these giants? In this episode, the Naked Archaeologist quests after Goliath of Gath, the mighty King Og and other towering figures from the Old Testament.