Archaeological excavations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem have revealed evidence of an ancient garden, corroborating details from the Gospel of John. The team, led by Professor Francesca Romana Stasolla of Sapienza University of Rome, discovered 2,000-year-old remains of olive trees and grapevines.
The discovery supports John 19:41, which mentions a garden near Jesus' crucifixion and burial site. Archaeobotanical analysis of soil samples found beneath the church's stone floor confirmed the presence of these plants. According to Stasolla, the area was outside Jerusalem during Jesus' time but became part of the Roman city of Aelia Capitolina in the 2nd century CE.
Excavations began in 2022 as part of a restoration project approved by religious communities and licensed by the Israel Antiquities Authority. Discoveries include a circular marble base believed to be from Emperor Constantine's 4th-century structure. The ongoing work aims to uncover more about the site's history.