I was unexpectedly surprised by the interest that I had in these people who uncovered history with their bare hands, who saw what had not been seen for nearly two thousand years.

Question

should it be, "...the interest I had in these people..."?

Answer 1

That is what I would say... However, I would also use"who with their bare hands had uncovered history that had not been seen for nearly two thousand years."

Answer 2

what would you say? would you use "that?"

Answer 3

Delete "unexpectedly" since it's redundant with "surprised." [Have you ever been surprised expectedly?]

The sentence is wordy. Here's my suggestion:

I was surprised by my interest in these people who uncovered history with their bare hands and who saw what had not been seen for nearly two thousand years.