JERUSALEM, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Israeli and Jerusalem municipal officials say they would consider opening the tomb alleged by documentary filmmakers to be the tomb of Jesus.
The tomb was discovered during excavation in 1980 in a Jerusalem neighborhood. Canadian filmmaker Simcha Jacobovici unveiled his latest work Monday in New York claiming it contained the ossuaries of not only Jesus, but of Mary Magdalene, along with the couple's son.
"The Lost Tomb of Jesus" will air on the Discovery network Sunday, and is expected to create an international crush of people wanting to visit the tomb.
The Israel Antiquities Authority is responsible for the tomb and officials told the Jerusalem Post they would oblige if city officials were in favor. In turn, municipality spokesman Gidi Schmerling told the newspaper the request to open the site would be considered.
The tomb lies sealed beneath a rectangular slab between rows of buildings in the East Talpiot neighborhood, the Post said.
