Ancient X Files

Investigators scrutinise archaeological evidence, using forensic and geological analysis, that points to an ancient mass killing in the Andes. They also evaluate a thorn, claimed to have originated from the crown of thorns placed on Christ during the crucifixion, employing botanical and historical testing.

Crown of Thorns & the Living Dead is a television programme presented as an episode‑style investigation. It falls within the genre of factual documentary, focusing on historical mysteries and religious artefacts, and follows a team of researchers as they probe two distinct, yet equally enigmatic, subjects. The first part of the episode sees the investigators turning their attention to the Andes, where they scrutinise physical and archaeological evidence pointing to a large‑scale, ancient massacre. By piecing together skeletal remains, burial patterns and other material clues, they aim to reconstruct what might have happened to the victims and why such a tragic event unfolded in that remote mountain region. In the latter half of the programme, the focus shifts to a single, seemingly unremarkable thorn that is claimed to have been part of the crown placed on Jesus Christ during his crucifixion. The team subjects the thorn to a series of scientific examinations, seeking to verify its provenance and to understand how such a relic could have survived through the centuries. Throughout both investigations, the researchers adopt a methodical approach, combining fieldwork with laboratory analysis. Their work highlights the challenges of interpreting ancient evidence, whether it be a mass burial site high in the Andes or a relic tied to a pivotal moment in religious history.