Ancient quarry and garden unearthed beneath Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre

A long-awaited excavation has begun beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The site is believed to be where Jesus was buried. Researchers from La Sapienza University started the work in 2022. The team uncovered a quarry from the Iron Age that was later used as a burial site. They also found evidence of 2,000-year-old olive trees and grapevines, suggesting the area was once agricultural land. The Gospel of John mentions the burial place of Jesus as being in a garden, matching these findings.

The excavation revealed coins and pottery dating to around the 4th century. This aligns with the time when Emperor Constantine ordered the construction of the church on the site. Specialists in geology, archaeobotany, and archaeozoology are part of the research team. The discoveries provide new insights into the history of the site before the church was built. The findings confirm its agricultural past and its use as a burial place. The excavation continues to uncover more about this significant location.