Excavations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, have uncovered remarkable historical evidence.
The recent findings reveal that the site, dating back to the 4th century, was originally an ancient quarry.
Evidence of large-scale stone extraction, with deep saw cuts in the rock, suggests the area was abandoned in the Iron Age before being repurposed for agriculture.
During the Roman period, following the AD 70 siege, Emperor Hadrian established a pagan temple on the site.
This temple remained until the 4th century, when Emperor Constantine ordered its demolition to construct the Christian church.
Excavations led by Macarius I, Bishop of Jerusalem, uncovered a rock-cut tomb that was identified as Jesus’ burial site.
Recent findings include traces of Roman cultic structures, highlighting the site’s evolving religious significance.
Archaeologists are now focused on further exploring the northern aisle of the church, examining the Roman foundations and investigating the historical layers that shaped the site’s religious importance.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre continues to reveal its ancient past, offering new insights into early Christian and Roman interactions.
These findings are vital in understanding the development of early Christian sanctuaries, which were designed to accommodate pilgrims.
The excavations provide crucial information about the site’s transformation into a major center of Christian worship, as well as its importance in the broader context of Jerusalem’s religious landscape.
The ongoing work aims to document the church’s full architectural evolution and its role in the spiritual and cultural fabric of the city.
