A recent archaeological excavation at the historic church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem has revealed convincing evidence of an old garden which once grew up on the site, potentially resolving the debates on the exact location of the crucifixion and the burial of Jesus Christ.
The discovery, made by a team of researchers from the University of Sapienza in Rome, has discovered vestiges of olive trees and vines that go back to around 2000 years, lending a new credibility to Christian traditions surrounding the sacred site. It was written that such a garden existed, and now for the first time, evidence emerged who verified this assertion.
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Reveal a biblical landscape
Archaeobotanic analysis carried out on the site revealed preserved plant left, including pollen and other botanical materials. These remains were dated at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus, which would generally have taken place in the spring of 33 AD.
To bring together their results, scientists extracted samples under the floor of the basilica and carried out a detailed pollen analysis. Although these first results strongly suggest the presence of an old cultivated landscape, researchers are waiting for the completion of radiocarbon dating tests to confirm their discovery. This method, which measures the decrease of the carbon 14 isotope absorbed by the formerly alive organisms, will provide a more precise chronology for the active growth of plants.
Diagram of the church of the Holy Sepulcher, showing the location of the modern church and the supposed tomb of Christ. (Yupi666 / CC by-SA 3.0).
The presence of olive and vine on the alleged site of the burial of Jesus aligns with biblical descriptions. The Gospel of John 19:41 declared: “Now, in the place where it was crucified, there was a garden; and in the garden, a new sepulcher, where man has never been. There, they deposited Jesus.”
The discovery seems to offer tangible proof that the landscape described in the New Testament used to be in the very place where the church is now.
A sacred site with a complex history
The main archaeologist Francesca Romana Stasolla stressed the importance of this discovery.
“The archaeobotanical results were particularly interesting for us, in the light of what is mentioned in the Gospel of John, whose information is considered to be written or collected by someone familiar with Jerusalem at the time,” she said in an interview with the Times of Israel. “The Gospel mentions a green zone between Calvary and the grave, and we have identified these cultivated fields.”
A more in -depth analysis of the site revealed traces of human activity covering several historical periods, before and after the life and death of Jesus. The way the land has been used has changed significantly over time, after being converted from a career to cultivated fields and possibly in the place of burial. The researchers discovered pottery and oil lamps dating from the Iron Age, and they also identified evidence of ancient agricultural use, including low stone walls which once separated cultivated plots. Stasolla explained that the soil was deliberately transported to these plots, filling the spaces between the walls to create fertile soil for crops.
This excavation marks the most important archaeological work undertaken at the church of the Holy Sepulcher since the 19th century. The excavation began in 2022 as part of a broader restoration project which required the approval of the three religious communities which jointly manage the Church: the orthodox patriarchy, the guard of the Holy Land and the Armenian patriarchy. He also needed a license in the authority of Israel antiques before the excavations started.
Altar on the site of the Church where the crucifixion of Jesus would have occurred. (Ondřej žváček /CC by-SA 3.0).
Although the excavation process has given extraordinary discoveries, the researchers were temporarily forced to stop their work due to the influx of Christian pilgrims visiting the site for the celebrations of Holy and Easter week. Once the religious festivities are over, archaeologists plan to resume their investigations, in the hope of discovering additional details on the historical evolution of the site.
Stasolla remains optimistic that modern technology will illuminate the past more.
“Although we could not see the whole church excavated at a glance, new technologies allow us to rebuild the situation in our laboratories,” she said. The progress of radar and 3D cartography techniques penetrating to the ground will allow researchers to analyze and digitally reconstruct the layers of the site which may not be physically accessible.
The church of the Holy Sepulcher: the sanctuary of Constantine to its Savior
The church of the Holy Sepulcher, built in 335 AD under the Commission of the Roman Emperor Constantine I, is one of the most revered sites of Christianity. The church was built on a Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Venus, duplicating a common practice in ancient times (long -term veneration of what was considered a sacred soil). During its construction, an old tomb was discovered that many believed to be the last place of rest of Jesus Christ. Stasolla suggests that Constantine probably knew where Jesus was buried (or at least believed that he knew it) and specifically built the church there to consecrate the tomb of Jesus and isolate him from the surrounding burials.
The alleged tomb of Jesus, inside the church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. (Adriatikus / CC by-SA 3.0).
Adding to the plot, archaeologists also discovered a circular marble base under the sanctuary which envelops the tomb. Other tests will be carried out to determine the precise age and origin of the marble, which could offer an additional overview of the historical development of the site.
While archaeologists continue their work, this discovery may prove to be one of the most important evidence supporting the biblical story of the last days of Jesus. It remains to be seen whether the conclusions will settle the long-standing debates on the real location of the tomb of Jesus, but for the moment, those who are convinced that the church of the Holy Spulcher is its place of burial has good reasons to feel excited and justified.
Upper image: Holy Sepulcher church in Jerusalem.
Source: Gerd Eichmann / CC by-SA 4.0.
By Nathan Falde
