Archaeologists Discover 2000-Year-Old Garden Beneath Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of a 2000-year-old garden beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre [tʃɜːrtʃ əv ðə ˈhəʊli ˈsɛpəlkər] in Jerusalem. The discovery aligns with descriptions in the Gospel of John, which mentions a garden near Jesus's tomb. The excavations, led by Professor Francesca Romana Stasolla [franˈtʃeskə roˈmaːna staˈsɔlla] of Sapienza University of Rome [saˈpjɛntsa ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsɪti ɒv rəʊm], reveal new insights into the city's history. The findings include traces of olive trees and grape vines, suggesting agricultural activity dating back to the first century CE. This supports the Gospel of John's passage: "Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden..." While radiocarbon dating is pending, the stratigraphic context indicates a pre-Christian era. The area was outside the city during Jesus's time, but later became part of the Roman city of Aelia Capitolina [ˈiːliə ˌkæpɪˈtɒlɪnə]. The excavation is part of a restoration project agreed upon by the Orthodox Patriarchate [ˈɔːθədɒks ˌpeɪtriˈɑːkeɪt], the Custody of the Holy Land [ˈkʌstədi ɒv ðə ˈhəʊli lænd], and the Armenian Patriarchate [ɑːˈmiːniən ˌpeɪtriˈɑːkeɪt]. Archaeologists are carefully excavating small areas to avoid disrupting religious activities. Beneath the church, remnants of an Iron Age quarry and ancient tombs have also been found. Stasolla's team also discovered a circular marble base, believed to be part of Constantine the Great's [ˈkɒnstəntaɪn ðə ɡreɪt] 4th-century monument to Jesus's tomb. Other artifacts include pottery fragments, oil lamps, and Roman coins. Animal bones and snail shells offer insights into the daily lives of clergy and pilgrims. While the discoveries align with Gospel accounts, Stasolla emphasizes that archaeology cannot confirm matters of faith, but highlights the enduring belief in the site's significance.