Josh Gates embarks on an epic investigation across the Middle East to determine whether Moses was a real historical figure and if the events of Exodus have any archaeological basis. The quest takes him from opening a long-sealed tomb in Egypt that might hold clues to Moses' identity, to exploring ancient mines where inscriptions could point to fleeing Israelites, to climbing a remote mountain peak believed by some to be the true Mount Sinai. Along the way, Gates teams up with Egyptologist Aidan Dodson in Coptic Cairo, investigates a mysterious man-made structure in the Sea of Galilee, and examines competing claims about where Moses is actually buried—all while asking whether this legendary prophet, lawgiver, and freedom fighter ever walked the earth.
Mainstream archaeology has long debated the historicity of the Exodus narrative, with most scholars finding no direct evidence of mass Hebrew enslavement or flight from Egypt during the New Kingdom period of the 13th century BCE. What makes this episode compelling is Gates' systematic approach to examining what evidence does exist—from Egyptian records that might document population movements to physical sites venerated across millennia by Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions. The investigation doesn't promise to prove the biblical account but instead explores the tantalizing archaeological fragments and historical possibilities that keep scholars searching, including discoveries of ancient inscriptions and structures that offer new perspectives on one of history's most enduring and influential stories.
Cairo
Egypt · cultural
Gates visits Cairo as his base of operations, exploring the local bazaar and framing the city as the modern metropolis surrounding and encroaching on the ancient Giza Plateau.
Luxor (ancient Thebes)
Egypt · historical
Gates drives 450 miles south of Cairo to Luxor, the ancient capital, to investigate the identity of the pharaoh of Exodus and examine evidence related to Ramesses II and the presence of Semitic peoples in ancient Egypt.
Mount Sinai
Egypt · historical
Josh Gates retraced Moses' steps from Mount Sinai to investigate the biblical account and separate historical fact from myth.
Red Sea coast, Sinai crossing point
Egypt · historical
Gates stands at the Red Sea to explore the biblical account of Moses parting the waters, examining the Hebrew term 'Yam Suph' and scientific computer modelling suggesting strong winds could push back shallow waters to create a temporary land bridge.
Saint Catherine's Monastery
Egypt · historical
Gates visits the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint Catherine at the base of Jabal Musa, meeting Father Justin who shows him the purported Burning Bush, a 10th-century manuscript of Genesis and Exodus, and a 16th-century illustrated manuscript, discussing the monastery's 1,700-year continuous history as evidence for the site's authenticity.
Saqqara Necropolis
Egypt · archaeological
Josh joined an active dig of 4,000-year-old tombs, uncovering mummies and treasure that could solve the mysterious collapse of Egypt's Old Kingdom.
Sinai Peninsula
Egypt · historical
Gates crosses into the Sinai Peninsula following the route of the Exodus, describing it as the setting for the most consequential moment in the book of Exodus — Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.
Temple of Merneptah, Luxor
Egypt · archaeological
Gates examines the Merneptah Stele at the funerary temple of Merneptah, son of Ramesses II, which contains the earliest known mention of 'Israel' outside the Bible. Gaber explains that rather than depicting Israelites as slaves, the stele records them as an external military force defeated by the pharaoh.
The Ramesseum, Luxor
Egypt · historical
Gates meets egyptologist Bahaa Gaber at the mortuary temple of Ramesses II to discuss why Ramesses is traditionally identified as the pharaoh of Exodus, examining the ruins including the toppled colossal statue of Ramesses and the lack of archaeological evidence for Hebrew slaves.