Garden discovery could prove where Jesus was buried

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Recent archaeological findings in Jerusalem may provide compelling evidence supporting biblical accounts of Jesus Christ’s burial location. Researchers from Sapienza University of Rome have discovered ancient olive tree and grapevine remains, potentially dating back to 33 A.D., when Jesus was crucified.

The discovery was made at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally recognized as the site of both Golgotha and Jesus’ tomb. Through detailed archaeo-botanical and pollen analysis, scientists identified traces of these plants in what was once a quarry later converted into a garden area.

The excavation revealed low stone walls and filled soil, indicating the site’s transformation from a quarry into a cultivated space. This finding aligns with the biblical description in John 19:41: “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There they laid Jesus.”

🇮🇱 NEW FIND AT JESUS’ BURIAL SITE BACKS BIBLICAL ACCOUNT OF RESURRECTION

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Archaeologists have uncovered remnants of an ancient garden beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, aligning with the Gospel of John’s description of Jesus’ burial site around 33 AD.

The… https://t.co/WZHGc9wvrL pic.twitter.com/Dm86KIrwat

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 2, 2025

Professor Francesca Romana Stasolla, leading the research team, explained to the Times of Israel, “The archaeo-botanical findings have been especially interesting for us, in light of what is mentioned in the Gospel of John, whose information is considered written or collected by someone familiar with Jerusalem at the time. The Gospel mentions a green area between the Calvary and the tomb, and we identified these cultivated fields.”

The team is currently awaiting results from radiocarbon dating of the garden remains. Additionally, they uncovered marble tombs within the church compound that could be linked to Joseph of Arimathea, who according to biblical accounts, took responsibility for Christ’s burial after the crucifixion.

“We are conducting geological analysis to verify the origin of the marble, and we are also testing the mortar. Both tests can give us important information,” Stasolla noted.

In the center of the Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem, underneath the largest dome, lies the Holy Sepulchre itself. This is the literal place that Jesus Christ died and was buried before His glorious Resurrection. pic.twitter.com/r2l0457z2l

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This archaeological discovery could resolve ongoing debates about the precise location of Jesus’s crucifixion and burial. Stasolla emphasized that regardless of individual beliefs about the site’s historicity, its significance in Jerusalem’s history and Christian worship is undeniable.

The excavation, which began in 2022 as part of a restoration project, continues to yield insights. “While we have not been able to see the entire church excavated in one glance, new technologies are allowing us to reconstruct the bigger picture in our labs,” Stasolla explained. “If we were talking about a puzzle, we could say we are only excavating one piece at a time, but eventually, we will have a complete multimedia reconstruction of the full picture.”