It was hailed as one of the world's greatest archaeological discoveries. There was just one little catch.

In November 2002, Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum became the first museum in the world to display the James Ossuary, a 2,000-year-old limestone box bearing the inscription “James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus.” Some scholars believe this to be the first archaeological artifact linked to Jesus of Nazareth – proof that Jesus really lived.

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) disagreed. They called the inscription a fake. And last December, the Israeli government laid charges against ossuary owner Oded Golan and four others accused of making millions by selling phony artifacts. Their trial resumes this fall. Are they the architects of a massive fraud – or victims of an all-out war on the antiquities trade?

The market for ancient artifacts has always been awash in forgeries. But in today's Israel, the issue has become politically charged. In October, VisionTV's The Naked Archaeologist presents a special two-part investigation into fakes and frauds in the world of Biblical archaeology.

The Naked Archaeologist , hosted by two-time Emmy Award winning producer and director Simcha Jacobovici , airs on Mondays at 9:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. ET , and repeats on Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m. ET . VisionTV broadcasts the two-parter “Real or Fake?” and “Fame & Forgery” on Oct. 3 and Oct. 10 .

The discovery of Biblical artifacts has profound significance to devout Christians and Jews, for whom such discoveries represent a physical connection to Holy Scripture. Jacobovici digs deep into the current controversy over forgeries, and provides a historical perspective by unearthing the story of a famous fake from yesteryear. (See episode description below.)

The episodes feature exclusive footage of both the James Ossuary and another alleged forgery: the Jehoash Stone, an inscribed tablet reputed to be a remnant of the First Temple in Jerusalem.

The Naked Archaeologist is a 26-part series that takes a fresh, funny and irreverent look at Biblical archaeology. Part Indiana Jones and part Ali G, Jacobovici brings history to life on the screen, seeking out extraordinary new finds from the ancient Middle East and delving fearlessly into some of the field's most controversial debates.

The Naked Archaeologist

October Episodes - Synopses

Oct. 3 & 10: Real or Fake?/Fame & Forgery

The antiquities market has long been plagued by fakes and forgeries. But the current controversies over the James Ossuary and Jehoash Stone have been complicated by politics, making it almost impossible to assess properly the authenticity of these artifacts. Can science actually prove what's real or fake? And how did it all become so political, anyway?

In these episodes, which feature exclusive footage of both the James Ossuary and the Jehoash Stone, host Simcha Jacobovici meets with dissident archaeologists to discuss why the Israel Antiquities Authority limits access to certain artifacts, and asks whether collectors suspected of forgery are being persecuted. He also reveals the true story of an early and sensational fake: the fabrication of an entire culture, complete with artifacts that made their way into some of the world's greatest museums.

Oct. 17: Accidental Archaeology

In North America, it would be unusual to have a bulldozer hit anything besides a hidden gas line or cable. But in Israel, it's not uncommon to find remains from an ancient city while digging the foundation for a new home. In this episode, host Simcha Jacobovici explores the four-level basement of a Jerusalem home and discovers relics that date back 2,000 years .

Oct. 24: Biblical Food

The Bible is full of references to food – but no recipes. In this episode, host Simcha Jacobovici learns what archaeology has to tell us about the kinds of food people ate in ancient times, shops in Jerusalem for ingredients mentioned in the Bible, and attempts to cook a meal fit for a king.

Oct. 31: Jesus – The Early Years