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Holy Sepulchre Excavation Reveals 33 AD Gospel Garden

By Drooid · Oct 28, 2026, 00:33 UTC · How we work

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Summary

Archaeologist Francesca Romana Stasolla of Sapienza University uncovered a garden and tombs beneath Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The discovery resulted from a 2022 restoration that expanded into a large-scale excavation of the church floor.
Researchers identified an abandoned stone quarry, cultivated fields and rock-cut tombs beneath the floor.
Plant remains showed olive trees and grapevines dating to around 33 AD, matching Gospel garden descriptions.

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Story summary

Archaeologist Francesca Romana Stasolla of Sapienza University uncovered a garden and tombs beneath Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The discovery resulted from a 2022 restoration that expanded into a large-scale excavation of the church floor.
Researchers identified an abandoned stone quarry, cultivated fields and rock-cut tombs beneath the floor.
Plant remains showed olive trees and grapevines dating to around 33 AD, matching Gospel garden descriptions.