In 1980 archaeologists excavating a first-century tomb that had been accidentally uncovered at a construction site in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Talpiot discovered a collection of 10 ossuaries, which are stone caskets for bones. One of them carried an inscription that can be read as "Jesus, son of Joseph."

Since this ossuary contained human remains, afterward reburied according to Jewish law, and since others bore markings interpreted by some to be the names of people traditionally associated with Jesus Christ, the finding --- not published until the mid-1990s --- eventually sparked intense controversy.

A calm account of the dispute and a generally thoughtful examination of the evidence is offered by the special "In Search of Jesus' Tomb," which premieres on the National Geographic cable channel April 6 (check local listings).

Interviews with scholars and archaeologists --- including those who originally surveyed the Talpiot site --- are interspersed with reconstructions of the find and elucidations of the relevant period in Jewish history.

James Tabor, chairman of the religious studies department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, explains the "Jesus tomb theory" to which he subscribes.

This theory holds that, after the crucifixion, Jesus was only buried briefly at the site now enshrined in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, before being transferred --- once Passover had ended --- to a more permanent resting place at Talpiot. There his unresurrected body was eventually joined by those of his wife, Mary Magdalene, and their son, the theory claims.

Leading the vigorous opposition to this fanciful scenario is Joan Taylor, senior lecturer at the University of Waikato, New Zealand. The program explores many of the logical, historical and linguistic flaws in this elaborate but insubstantial hypothesis. Similar claims were advanced in Simcha Jacobovici and Charles Pellegrino's book, "The Jesus Family Tomb: The Evidence Behind the Discovery No One Wanted to Find," and the 2007 documentary "The Lost Tomb of Jesus."

The most basic objection, however, is passed over by a presentation that attributes a degree of seriousness to the "Jesus tomb theory" denied it by a consensus of academics in the field. How, one immediately wonders, could the first Christians possibly have proclaimed the good news of the resurrection of Jesus if his body was easily accessible in a tomb on the outskirts of the very city where the Christian faith was born?

'Jerusalem' on PBS
Sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, Jerusalem has been the destination for millions of pilgrims over the centuries, as well as the location of more than 100 battles. The storied, four-millennia-long history of this spiritual capital is recounted in the enlightening documentary "Jerusalem: Center of the World," airing on PBS in April. (In Southern California, both KCET and KOCE will air the program several times through April 12; check local listings.)

Backed up by arresting visuals, interviews with archaeologists and scholars and beautifully shot footage of the still vibrant city, host Ray Suarez traces its evolution from a Canaanite village to the political and religious citadel of ancient Israel, and outlines its importance as the setting for Jesus' death and resurrection, as well as its significance within Islam.

He describes the metropolis' connections to biblical figures, like Abraham, who may have traveled there as he prepared to fulfill God's command to sacrifice his son Isaac; Moses, who was only allowed to see the Promised Land, but not set foot in it; and Kings David and Solomon. David wrested control of the area from the Canaanites and brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, while it was left to Solomon to build the First Temple to house the Ark.

The location of the First Temple and the Second Temple, the latter built by King Herod the Great shortly before the time of Jesus, is now occupied by the Dome of the Rock, one of the oldest surviving Islamic places of worship.

At once educational and enjoyable, this armchair pilgrimage makes timely Easter-season viewing.

---CNS