Ep 5. God's Gold (Part 1)

Digging for the Truth is a television documentary series that aims to uncover the mysteries of ancient civilizations by exploring historical events, religious beliefs, and archaeological findings. In Season 4, Episode 5, titled God's Gold (Part 1), the host and producer of the show, Josh Bernstein, takes us on a journey to explore the history of gold and its significance in different cultures and religions.

The episode starts with Josh Bernstein visiting a gold mine in Ethiopia, where he learns about the process of extracting gold from the earth. He then travels to South Africa, one of the largest producers of gold in the world. There, he meets with a local miner who shares his insights on the value and power of gold. The miner tells Josh about the role that gold played in shaping the economy and politics of South Africa.

Josh then moves on to explore the religious significance of gold. He travels to India, where he visits the Kumbh Mela festival, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. He observes the pilgrims taking a dip in the river, hoping to cleanse themselves of their sins and attain enlightenment. Josh explains that many religious scriptures and legends in India mention the importance of gold as a symbol of purity and prosperity.

The episode then takes a turn towards the history of gold and its association with power and wealth. Josh visits the ancient city of Troy in Turkey, where he learns about the Trojan War. He explains that the war was fought primarily over control of the valuable trade routes that connected the Mediterranean civilizations with the East. Josh highlights that gold played a crucial role in this trade, and Troy was a major hub for gold exchange.

From Turkey, Josh travels to Italy to explore the history of the Roman Empire. He visits the Colosseum and explains how the gladiators were often paid in gold for their performances. He also emphasizes that Roman currency was based on the value of gold coins, and many wars were fought over the control of gold mines.

The episode concludes with Josh visiting the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, one of the holiest sites in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He explains that the temple was once home to the Ark of the Covenant, which was believed to contain the Ten Commandments. Josh highlights the significance of gold in the temple, particularly the golden lampstand, which was used to light the sanctuary.

Throughout the episode, Josh Bernstein provides insightful commentary and historical analysis on the importance of gold in different cultures and religions. He highlights how gold has played a crucial role in shaping the economy, politics, and religious beliefs of humanity for thousands of years. The episode ends with a cliffhanger, promising to explore the mysteries of lost gold mines in the next part of the series.