Archaeological work beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem has produced a discovery that appears to support a key detail recorded in the New Testament: the existence of a garden close to the place of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. The findings align with John 19:41, which states, “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.”
The research points to an ancient cultivated area near the site long venerated as the location of Jesus’ death and burial, offering new insight into the landscape described in Scripture.
A 2,000-Year-Old Cultivated Area Beneath the Church
The excavation team, led by Professor Francesca Romana Stasolla of Sapienza University of Rome, identified botanical remains of olive trees and grapevines believed to be around 2,000 years old. These traces—seeds, pollen, and other plant materials—were identified through detailed archaeobotanical analysis of soil samples taken from beneath the stone floor of the church.
“The archaeobotanical findings have been especially interesting for us, in light of what is mentioned in the Gospel of John,” Stasolla told the Times of Israel. “The Gospel mentions a green area between Calvary and the tomb, and we identified these cultivated fields.”
The presence of these plant remains suggests the area around what is now the Church of the Holy Sepulchre once contained managed plots, consistent with a garden or cultivated field in the period when Jesus is believed to have lived.
Largest Excavation in Nearly Two Centuries
Launched in 2022, this project is the most extensive archaeological excavation carried out at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in nearly 200 years. The work is part of a broader restoration effort agreed upon by the three Christian communities that jointly oversee the church: the Orthodox Patriarchate, the Custody of the Holy Land, and the Armenian Patriarchate. The project is also licensed by the Israel Antiquities Authority.
According to Stasolla, the site’s history is layered. The area was first used as a stone quarry, then later converted into cultivated land, and eventually became a burial ground by the 1st century CE. This sequence fits with the transition from industrial use to agricultural plots and, finally, to a cemetery—matching both historical and scriptural references to the region.
Artifacts from Multiple Eras
In addition to botanical remains, the excavation has uncovered a variety of objects: pottery fragments, oil lamps, glass pieces, and low stone walls that appear to have separated individual garden plots. Some of these finds may date as far back as the Iron Age.
These discoveries indicate that the site has been used and visited for many centuries, long before the construction of the current church building. The stone boundaries and material remains point to organized cultivation and ongoing human activity in the area, reinforcing the idea that what is now a sacred site once included everyday agricultural spaces.
Ongoing Scientific Analysis
While the plant remains strongly suggest an ancient garden, radiocarbon dating and other scientific tests are still in progress to determine the exact age of the samples. Confirming a precise timeframe is essential for establishing how closely the remains align with the period described in the New Testament.
For the moment, active excavation has been paused to accommodate the influx of Christian pilgrims visiting the site during Holy Week and Easter. After these celebrations, Stasolla and her team plan to resume their work in carefully selected sectors beneath the church floor.
The researchers are also employing technologies such as 3D mapping and ground-penetrating radar, hoping to create a detailed digital reconstruction of the site as it evolved over time—from quarry, to cultivated land, to burial ground, and finally to the monumental church standing there today.
Historical and Spiritual Significance of the Church
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, originally built in 335 CE under Roman Emperor Constantine I, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Christianity. It is widely regarded by many Christian traditions as the location of both Jesus’ crucifixion (Golgotha) and his tomb.
According to historical accounts, during the construction of the original church, Constantine’s workers uncovered an ancient tomb, which was soon identified by local Christian communities as the burial place of Jesus. Over the centuries, the site has been rebuilt, damaged, and restored many times, but it has remained central to Christian devotion.
Recent archaeological work has also revealed a circular marble base beneath the Edicule—the small shrine that encloses the traditional tomb. Researchers plan to study this feature more closely to better understand its date and purpose, and how it fits into the wider architectural history of the site.
A Milestone in Understanding the Biblical Landscape
Debates about the exact location of Jesus’ burial have continued for generations, and this discovery does not settle every question. However, the evidence of an ancient cultivated area near the traditional site of Golgotha and the tomb adds an important piece to the picture.
By confirming that there once was a garden-like setting in the area where the church now stands, the excavation strengthens the connection between the biblical description in John’s Gospel and the physical landscape beneath Jerusalem’s Old City.
Beyond religious interpretation, the findings mark a significant step for archaeology and historical research, demonstrating how modern scientific techniques—such as archaeobotany, radiocarbon dating, and advanced mapping tools—can illuminate the complex history of one of the world’s most revered and studied locations.
