Jerusalem archaeologists discover ancient landscape beneath Holy Sepulchre

Archaeologists conducting excavations beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem have discovered an ancient landscape that bears striking similarities to biblical descriptions. The findings, part of a restoration project that began in 2022, include rock-cut tombs, cultivated areas, an abandoned quarry, and traces of an ancient garden.

Lead archaeologist Francesca Romana Stasola from Sapienza University of Rome noted that the team has found evidence of a “burial landscape.” These discoveries align with descriptions in the Gospel of John, which mentions a garden and a new tomb near the site of Jesus' crucifixion. Some remains, including traces of agricultural activity such as olive and vine cultivation, may date back to the period around 33 AD.

While the findings provide significant archaeological context for the site, researchers emphasize that the evidence does not definitively prove this is the specific tomb of Jesus. The results of the preliminary research have been published in the archaeological journal Jerusalem Liber Annuus.