Archaeologists reconstruct ancient landscape around Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

A team of archaeologists led by Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, has reconstructed the ancient landscape surrounding the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

The present church is built over part of an ancient quarry on Gareb Hill. After stone extraction ceased, some areas were adapted for agricultural use, while others were used for burials.

The research traced the area’s development across several historical periods. The findings contribute to an understanding of the site’s configuration before the Christian church was built in the fourth century.

Researchers identified evidence of plots enclosed by low walls, into which soil had been brought for cultivation. Analyses revealed remains of figs, grapes and cereals, as well as evidence of grapevines and olive trees.

According to the team of archaeologists from Sapienza University, the project represents “the first archaeobotanical investigation carried out in Jerusalem to cover such an extensive chronological sequence, from the Middle Iron Age to the modern period”.

Tombs in the former quarry The research also highlighted the site’s funerary use. Tombs were cut into the rock exposed by quarrying at a time when…