New discoveries uncovered after 'Jesus' tomb' opened
New discoveries uncovered after 'Jesus' tomb' opened
Archaeologists become the first in 500 years to uncover the tomb where Jesus Christ was said to have been placed and resurrected.
2 min read
04 Dec, 2016
The tomb was sealed for five centuries to deter looters [AFP]
The tomb said to have been the last resting place of Jesus Christ was opened for the first time in half a millennium, revealing a limestone shelf where Jesus is said to have been laid, as well as an engraved marble slab.
Since the 1500s, the tomb located in Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre had been sealed with a marble slab to prevent looting.
"The most amazing thing for me was when we removed the first layer of dust and found a second piece of marble,"
said National Geographic archaeologist Fredrik Hiebert.
The marble slab, which is engraved with a cross believed to have been etched in by 12th century crusaders, was previously unrecorded.
"This one was grey, not creamy white like the exterior, and right in the middle of it was a beautifully inscribed cross. We had no idea that was there," Hiebert added.
"The shrine has been destroyed many times by fire, earthquakes, and invasions over the centuries. We didn't really know if they had built it in exactly the same place every time".
According to Heibert, the new discoveries prove that the spot of the current tomb, which had been rebuilt several times following its destruction, is the same one found the by Roman emperor Constantine in the 4th century.
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| The site where Jesus' body is said to have been laid to rest in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre [AFP] |
According to Heibert, the new discoveries prove that the spot of the current tomb, which had been rebuilt several times following its destruction, is the same one found the by Roman emperor Constantine in the 4th century.
The first to enter the tomb after its opening were religious leaders representing the Greek and Armenian Orthodox churches and the Franciscan monks. These three bodies share responsibility over the tomb.
"They came out with big smiles on their face. Then the monks went in and they were all smiling," Heibert said.
"We were all getting really curious. Then we went in, looked into the tomb, and saw a lot of rubble. So it wasn't empty, even though there were no artefacts or bones."
Discussions on whether to open the tomb for repairs have dragged on since 1959, with committee members facing contin
Researchers have been involved in discussions as to whether or not the tomb could be opened for vital repairs since 1959, but the committee in charge had continuously failed to come to an agreement.
According to Christian scripture, Jesus was buried in the tomb for three days, after which he was resurected and raised from the dead.
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