THIRTEEN’s Secrets of the Dead Uncovers the Mystery Surrounding One of Archeology’s Most Amazing Finds in Bones of the Buddha Airing July 23 on PBS

The documentary is part of a full night of programming devoted to the spiritual leader including an encore presentation of filmmaker David Grubin’s “The Buddha”

This summer, PBS is dedicating a full evening to the Buddha, anchored by an intriguing new Secrets of the Dead episode, Bones of the Buddha.  The film presents a convincing collection of evidence that suggests an amateur archaeologist discovered the leader’s sacred remains more than a century ago. Bones of the Buddha airs Tuesday, July 23, 10-11 pm ET on PBS (check local listings).
Preceding Bones of the Buddha is a rebroadcast of The Buddha, acclaimed filmmaker David Grubin’s documentary about a royal prince who fled the opulence of the palace more than 2,500 years ago.  Journeying for six years, he witnessed human suffering for the first time and attained enlightenment, establishing a new religion, Buddhism. Richard Gere narrates the two-hour film airing Tuesday July 23, 8-10 pm ET on PBS (check local listings).
The mystery surrounding the bones of the Buddha dates back more than 100 years ago, when colonial estate manager William (Willie) Peppe and his workers began digging at a mysterious hill in Northern India. Peppe had no idea what they’d find just a little more than 20 feet down.  They unearthed an astonishing discovery: a huge stone coffer, containing five reliquary jars, more than 1,000 separate jewels – carved semi-precious stones and gold and silver objects – and some ash and bone. One of the jars bore a Sanskrit inscription which, when translated, stated the jar contained the remains of the Buddha himself.
Doubt and rumors of forgery have overshadowed this remarkable find dividing, Buddhist scholars for more than 100 years. Many believe the whole thing is an elaborate hoax. Others insist the tomb on Peppe’s estate is no less than the final resting place of the leader of one of the world’s great religions, a sage who died nearly 2,500 years ago. For the doubters, suspicion focuses on a key figure from the time, disgraced German archaeologist Dr. Anton Fuhrer.
Renowned historian Charles Allen sets out to solve this extraordinary mystery, once and for all.  Is the little-known monument in Northern India really the Buddha’s tomb? Is the find genuine?  And if it is, who created it and when?  Allen begins his journey in England at the home of Neil Peppe, the grandson of William Peppe. From there he travels 4,000 miles to Birdpore House in India, built by the Peppe family in the 1840s. The mysterious hill known as Piprahwa where the tomb was found sits on the northern edge of the Birdpore estate. Allen traces Peppe’s steps to authenticate the find, uncovering how the discovery became shrouded in scandal and where the Piprahwa ashes and bones reside today.
But is the inscription on the jar stating “these are the relics of the Buddha – the Lord” genuine? Allen meets with Harry Falk, a professor at Germany’s oldest institute of Indology and the world’s leading authority on ancient Indian languages, to authenticate the ancient Brahmi script. Though Falk’s findings may finally clear William Peppe’s name and resolve the mystery surrounding his find, Allen must still unravel who built the tomb and buried the remains of Buddha 2,500 year ago.
Bones of the Buddhais an Icon Films Production for THIRTEEN in association with WNET, ARTE France and National Geographic Channels. Executive producer for Icon Films is Harry Marshall. Executive in charge for WNET is Stephen Segaller. Executive producer for WNET is Steve Burns.  Coordinating producer for WNET is Stephanie Carter.
This program is among the full-length episodes that will be available for viewing after broadcast on Secrets of the Dead Online (pbs.org/secrets). Along with the extensive online video catalog, the series website provides resources for educators with lesson plans for middle school and high school teachers.
As one of PBS’ ongoing limited primetime series, Secrets of the Deadis a perennial favorite among viewers, routinely ranking among the 10 most-watched series on public television. Currently in its 12^th season, Secrets of the Deadcontinues its unique brand of archaeological sleuthing employing advances in investigative techniques, forensic science and historical scholarship to offer new evidence about forgotten mysteries Secrets of the Dead has received 10 CINE Golden Eagle Awards and six Emmy nominations, among numerous other awards.
About WNET
In 2013, WNET is celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of THIRTEEN, New York’s flagship public media provider. As the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to over 5 million viewers each week. WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, Need to Know, Charlie Rose and a range of documentaries, children’s programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Oh Noah! and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state’s unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Reel 13, NJ Today and MetroFocus, the multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region. WNET is also a leader in connecting with viewers on emerging platforms, including the THIRTEEN Explore iPad App where users can stream PBS content for free.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.	Neil Peppe with some of the jewels found by his grandfather, William Peppe, in 1898 at Piprahwa in Northern India. Photo credit: © Icon Films / Alex Holden
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.	At Calcutta's Indian Museum, Author Charles Allen examines the all important inscription urn from the original Piprahwa Stupa. Photo credit: © Icon Films / Lorne Kramer
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.	At Calcutta's Indian Museum, Author Charles Allen and German scholar Professor Harry Falk examine the stone chest that contained the original Piprahwa find. Photo credit: © Icon Films / Lorne Kramer
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.	Author Charles Allen at Boghaya, one of Buddhism's holiest sites. Photo credit: © Icon Films / Lorne Kramer
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.	Author Charles Allen at great Ashokan Stupa at Sanchi near Bhopal. Photo credit: © Icon Films / Lorne Kramer
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.	Buddhism's holy of holies: The Mahabodi Temple at Bodghaya in Northern India. Photo credit: © Icon Films / Lorne Kramer
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.	India's first written text: Brahmi inscription on the Ashokan Pillar at Lauriya Nandangar. Photo credit: © Icon Films / Lorne Kramer
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.	Author Charles Allen at the Piprahwa Stupa, site of the original find in 1898. Photo credit: © Icon Films / Lorne Kramer
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.	The Piprahwa Stupa, scene of William Peppe's extraordinary 1898 discovery. Photo credit: © Icon Films / Lorne Kramer
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.	In a reconstructed sequence, estate manager William Peppe examines the all important inscription urn. Photo credit: © Icon Films / Lorne Kramer
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.	In a reconstructed sequence, estate manager William Peppe examines relics in a glass jar. Photo caption: © Icon Films / Lorne Kramer
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.	In a reconstructed sequence, estate manager William Peppe examines the all important inscription urn. Photo credit: © Icon Films / Lorne Kramer
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.	One of India's few Buddhists in the religon's birthplace of Northern India. Buddhism was much attacked by other faiths there over the centuries. Photo credit: © Icon Films / Lorne Kramer
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.	Author Charles Allen Examines original jewels from Piprahwa Stupa. Photo credit: © Icon Films / Alex Holden
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.	Author Charles Allen Examines original jewels from Piprahwa Stupa. Photo credit: © Icon Films / Alex Holden

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