Ancient Garden Discovered Beneath Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Supporting Biblical Account!
Archaeologists working beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem have made a remarkable discovery that strengthens one of the New Testament’s key accounts: the existence of a garden near the site of Jesus Christ's crucifixion and burial. This significant find provides tangible evidence for the biblical narrative found in John 19:41, which describes the area where Jesus was crucified as having a garden, with a new tomb within it where no one had yet been laid.
Photo Credit: Jlascar/ CC BY 2.0
A Garden Unearthed
Led by Professor Francesca Romana Stasolla from Sapienza University of Rome, the excavation team uncovered remains of olive trees and grapevines, dating back approximately 2,000 years. These botanical remnants, including seeds and pollen, were found through archaeobotanical analysis of soil samples taken from beneath the church's stone floor.
Professor Stasolla shared her excitement with the Times of Israel, noting that the findings align with the Gospel of John’s mention of a "green area" situated between Calvary and the tomb. "We have identified cultivated fields, which is particularly interesting in light of what is mentioned in the Gospel," she explained.
Photo Credit: Gerd Eichmann/CC BY-SA 4.0
A Groundbreaking Excavation
This excavation, which began in 2022, represents the most extensive archaeological work at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in almost two centuries. The dig is part of a broader restoration project, approved by the three religious communities that manage the church: the Orthodox Patriarchate, the Custody of the Holy Land, and the Armenian Patriarchate. The excavation also has approval from the Israel Antiquities Authority.
Historically, the site of the church was a quarry, which later transformed into cultivated fields before becoming a burial ground in the 1st century CE, as Stasolla explained.
Evidence of Ancient Pilgrimage
In addition to plant remnants, the team discovered a variety of artefacts, including pottery, oil lamps, glass, and low stone walls that once separated garden plots—some of which date back to the Iron Age. These discoveries suggest that the area has long been a place of human presence and pilgrimage, with activity spanning millennia.
Although the botanical evidence strongly supports the existence of an ancient garden, radiocarbon dating is still in progress to determine the precise age of the remains.
The Pause for Holy Week and Future Plans
While the excavation has made exciting strides, work has been temporarily halted due to the influx of Christian pilgrims during the Holy Week and Easter celebrations. Once these events conclude, Professor Stasolla and her team will resume their work in carefully segmented areas beneath the church floor. They are also using advanced technologies such as 3D mapping and ground-penetrating radar to digitally reconstruct the site.
A Church of Deep Historical Significance
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built in 335 CE by Roman Emperor Constantine I, is widely believed to be the site of both Jesus' crucifixion and burial. During the church's construction, Constantine’s workers reportedly discovered an ancient tomb, which many believed to be the tomb of Jesus. In a further intriguing development, archaeologists recently found a circular marble base beneath the Edicule—the shrine that houses the tomb—adding yet another layer of mystery to the site’s history.
Despite ongoing theological debates over the precise location of Jesus' burial, this recent archaeological discovery represents a significant milestone in confirming the topography of the biblical account. As excavation continues, it brings us closer to understanding the real history beneath one of the most important religious sites in the world.