Mar 29, 2025
Archaeologists excavating beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City have uncovered evidence of an ancient garden. The findings, revealed through a landmark excavation conducted as part of renovations in the church, showed evidence of the presence of olive trees and grapevines from around 2,000 years ago. This evidence aligns with the Gospel of John’s description of the site where Jesus was crucified and buried. “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.” (John 19:41)
Traces of the olive trees and grapevines were identified via archaeobotanical and pollen analysis. The excavation, led by Professor Francesca Romana Stasolla of Sapienza University in Rome, began in 2022 as part of a restoration project. It marks the first major renovations in the church since the 19th century and had to be agreed upon by the church’s three main custodians: the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, the Custody of the Holy Land (Roman Catholic), and the Armenian Patriarchate. It also required a license from the Israel Antiquities Authority. READ MORE
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Source: All Israel News