New Discoveries Illuminate Landscape Around Christ’s Tomb

The discoveries offer new insight into the ancient landscape surrounding the site traditionally associated with Christ’s death and resurrection.

Archaeological excavations beneath Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre are providing new insight into the ancient landscape surrounding the site traditionally associated with Christ’s death and resurrection. Researchers uncovered evidence of an abandoned stone quarry, rock-cut tombs and small cultivated plots created after quarrying ended.

Analysis of pollen and plant remains indicates that the area supported vegetation, grazing and cultivation, including cereals, grapes and figs. Archaeologists date the cultivated landscape broadly to the period of Jesus’ lifetime, before Emperor Hadrian’s redevelopment of Jerusalem in the second century.

The discoveries offer new insight into the ancient landscape surrounding the site traditionally associated with Christ’s death and resurrection.