New find in Jerusalem confirms words from the Bible (4 photos)

An archaeological find at the burial site of Jesus Christ may provide new evidence for the biblical narrative. Researchers have discovered traces of an ancient garden beneath the foundations of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which matches the description in the Gospel of John.





John 19:41-42 says, "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. And they laid Jesus there because of the Jews' preparation day, for the tomb was near."

A team from Rome's Sapienza University examined plant samples and dated them to the time of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Historians generally date his death to around 33 CE.

The analysis revealed the presence of olive trees and grapevines. However, the researchers have yet to complete radiocarbon dating, which is used to determine the age of samples by measuring the concentration of the radioactive isotope carbon-14 (14C).



Francesca Romana Stasolla, the lead archaeologist, told The Times of Israel, "The Gospel mentions a garden between Golgotha ​​and the tomb, and we have determined that these were cultivated fields."

There has long been debate about where Jesus was laid to rest. Many believe it was the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, citing the presence of rock-cut tombs dating back to the first century. However, others argue that the Garden Tomb, another ancient burial site in Jerusalem, better matches the biblical descriptions.





Garden Tomb

About four million people visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre each year. One of the most sacred sites in the Christian world was built on the site of a Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Venus in 335 AD.

According to Stasolla, the layers hidden beneath the church floor have revealed new details about the history of ancient Jerusalem.

“The church was built on the site of a quarry. This should not be surprising, since most of Jerusalem’s Old City is built on quarries. During the excavations, we found pottery, lamps and other items dating back to the Iron Age,” she told The Times of Israel.

“After the quarry ceased operations, low stone walls were erected and the space between them was filled with earth for farming. In light of what is mentioned in the Gospel of John, the botanical findings were of particular interest to us.”

The team also found a circular marble base beneath the shrine, which is believed to be the tomb of Jesus. Further research will be conducted to determine the age and origin of the marble.



In July 2024, archaeologists from the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) announced a "sensational" discovery. They had found an altar that had disappeared during a church fire in the 1800s.

The slab, consecrated in 1149, was found inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, but its front was covered in graffiti from tourists. This is likely why it went unnoticed for so long.

However, the experts' attention was drawn to the unusual patterns on the side facing the wall. This is the so-called "cosmatesco" mosaic. The unique technique of creating marble decorations was known only to the masters of the guilds in papal Rome, and they passed on their knowledge and experience from generation to generation. Their works are distinguished by a small, colorful mosaic of geometric figures.