Archaeologists believe they may have uncovered a site where Jesus performed a renowned biblical miracle more than 2,000 years ago.
Dr Scott Stripling, of the Associates for Biblical Research, has revealed he has been led to the site where Jesus cast demons into a herd of pigs.
Dr Stripling told the Digging for Truth show that by using geography and clues from the Bible, he was pointed towards Kursi in Israel, next to the Sea of Galilee.
The Gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke say that Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee from west to east, but stumbled across a man who had fallen under the control of a "legion" of demons.
The demons begged to be cast into a herd of pigs, before tumbling down a steep hill and drowning in the sea.
Dr Stripling said: "All three gospels say there was a cliff nearby.
"And they tell us that Jesus was coming in on a boat from the west side to the east side."
The apparent breakthrough came after archaeologists examined a partially submerged Roman harbour in the Biblical sea.
Dr Stripling said that using both geography and clues from Biblical texts pointed him towards Kursi in Israel
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Guided by an ancient fish tank, used centuries ago to keep freshly-caught fish alive, Dr Stripling's team of researchers were able to track down the harbour where Jesus may have stood before exorcising the man.
The archaeologist was also aided by information gathered during a 1985 excavation of the site, which revealed ancient harbours in the area which contained a large fish tank and stone jetties.
After using GPS technology and scuba diving equipment, the team discovered large stone jetties and the unmistakable markers of an ancient Roman harbour.
Dr Stripling said: "We felt the stones before we saw them.
"Massive, dressed blocks forming twin piers, classic harbour construction."
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The Gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke say that Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee from west to east
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The discovery of the submerged harbour is crucial to discovering where the site of Jesus' miracle may have been.
The site has been visited by pilgrims for more than 1,500 years.
An ancient Byzantine chapel on the top of a hill in Kursi, referred to as the Chapel of the Miracle, is home to a mosaic floor which some researchers believe shows pigs.
Dr Stripling said: "The Byzantines built where memory and geography intersected."
Explaining the context of the miracle, the researcher added: "When the demons say 'Legion,' it's no coincidence.
"This was a gentile man, possibly a failed recruit or labourer, tormented by forces mirroring Roman oppression.
"The pigs weren't just livestock, they were military supply.
"After the miracle, the healed man begs to follow Jesus but is sent home to proclaim what God had done."
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