A remarkable find at a historic site in Jordan closely resembles elements from an “Indiana Jones” film.

Buried beneath the iconic Treasury, which has been carved into the pink sandstone cliffs for centuries, archaeologists have discovered a hidden tomb containing the remains of over a dozen Nabateans, as reported in a recent announcement.

Since the Nabataean Kingdom meticulously sculpted an entire city, including the Treasury in Petra, thousands of years have passed, and the site has become both a popular tourist spot and a filming location for the 1989 movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.”

In an effort to understand the purpose of the elusive Treasury, archaeologists, including Josh Gates, host of Discovery Channel’s “Expeditions Unknown,” began excavating and unexpectedly uncovered a tomb filled with skeletons just below the surface.

Gates expressed his amazement, stating that the newly discovered chamber in the Treasury may be “the most significant tomb ever discovered at Petra and a finding of substantial historical importance.” This is particularly noteworthy given that most tombs in Petra have been found devoid of remains.

“This breakthrough has the potential to not only unlock the secrets of the Treasury above but also provide incredible insights into the lives of the early Nabataeans who created Petra,” Gates noted.

According to archaeologist Pearce Paul Creasman, the excavation “brings us closer than ever to understanding” when and why the Treasury was constructed. The findings also suggest that the site served more as a mausoleum than a “treasury,” as indicated by the Visit Petra website.

Artifact Discovery Connects to ‘Indiana Jones’

While the skeletal remains provided a significant discovery, another fascinating link to the “Indiana Jones” movie emerged through an artifact found within the tomb.

This artifact is a ceramic vessel that remarkably resembles a prop from “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” A skeleton was found holding what appears to be a chalice, reminiscent of the Holy Grail from the film.

In the movie, the Holy Grail was thought to have the power to “grant immortality.” The real-life “Holy Grail” discovered is likely a segment of a shattered jug, dating back to the first century BC.

“When we saw what looked like a chalice, we all paused in awe,” Gates shared. “It resembled the Holy Grail depicted in ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,’ which is set directly above this tomb. It was a surreal moment where life mimicked art.”

How to Tune into ‘Expeditions Unknown’

The excavation of the Treasury featured in a two-part episode of “Expeditions Unknown” that aired on Wednesday, October 9, and is available for viewing on Discovery+ or through participating television providers.