Watch: 2,000-Year-Old Skeletons and ‘Holy Grail’ Cup Unearthed in Tomb Where ‘Indiana Jones’ Was Filmed

Archaeologists have made an extraordinary discovery of 2,000-year-old skeletons and a chalice resembling the mythical Holy Grail in a hidden tomb beneath Petra, the iconic historical site where scenes from the movie Indiana Jones were filmed.

The tomb contained twelve skeletons, and one of them held a chalice thought to resemble the Holy Grail, the cup Jesus is believed to have used at the Last Supper. The tomb, which dates back two millennia, was uncovered through an underground sonic search, leading to its excavation.

In addition to the skeletons, the archaeologists found bronze, iron, and various ceramic items in the tomb. Dr. Pearce Paul Creasman, the lead archaeologist, expressed hope that more discoveries would be made as the excavation continues.

Creasman’s team dated the tomb to the first century BC using luminescence dating, a technique that measures the last time minerals were exposed to sunlight. Although many tombs have been unearthed in Petra before, finding intact skeletons is particularly rare.

Josh Gates, host of Expedition Unknown on the Discovery Channel, who also participated in the excavation, said, “This is an incredibly rare find — nothing like it has ever been uncovered in the two centuries that Petra has been explored by archaeologists. Even in front of one of the most famous buildings in the world, there are still remarkable discoveries waiting to be made.”

Gates added, “These individuals must have been very important because their burial site is located in such a prime location — the main entrance to the city. Learning who they were could unlock key parts of the story surrounding the Treasury.”

Creasman emphasized the potential of this discovery to provide rare insights into the Nabataeans, the ancient people of Petra. Despite the human remains being delicate due to moisture and the porous sandstone that surrounded the tomb, their intact condition offers valuable clues.

“We were hopeful to find anything that might reveal more about these ancient people,” Creasman told CNN. “The burials are articulated, meaning the bones haven’t been disturbed, which is exceedingly rare.”

He added, “The Nabataeans were a multicultural trading society, and their unity as a people allowed them to thrive. I hope their story might offer lessons that are still relevant today.”