Archaeologists discover ancient burial landscape beneath Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Archaeologists led by Francesca Romana Stasolla from Sapienza University of Rome have uncovered evidence of an ancient burial landscape beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The findings, published in the archaeological journal 'Liber Annuus', include rock-cut tombs, cultivated land, and a garden, which researchers note bear striking similarities to descriptions found in the New Testament regarding the site of Jesus Christ’s burial. While these features align with historical Christian traditions, the team emphasizes that the findings do not constitute definitive proof that the location is the specific tomb of Jesus.

The excavations began in 2022 as part of ongoing restoration work on the church's ancient floor. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a 4th-century structure built upon the traditional site of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Christ, remains a major pilgrimage destination. Previous archaeological investigations had lacked tangible evidence to substantiate these long-held religious narratives. The team continues to analyze the site, with the preliminary results marking a significant step in understanding the architectural and historical layers of this landmark.