Ancient Garden Unearthed Beneath Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre Potentially Corroborates Gospel Account

Archaeological excavations beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem have revealed traces of an ancient garden, potentially supporting the Gospel of John's description of the area surrounding Jesus' crucifixion and burial. The discovery, announced in March 2025, includes remnants of soil layers containing pollen, seeds, and root systems indicative of a cultivated garden dating back to the first century CE. Dr. Efraim Goldstein of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who directed the excavation, noted that the findings add a new layer of understanding to the area's historical context. The soil composition and botanical evidence align with other known first-century gardens in the region. While some experts urge caution in definitively linking the garden to the Gospel account, the discovery provides tangible evidence that the area around Golgotha may have been a cultivated space, as described in the Gospel of John. The excavation employed ground-penetrating radar and DNA analysis of ancient pollen to minimize damage to the site.