Archaeologists uncover 20-foot marble monument encircling tomb believed to hold Jesus

A team of archaeologists working inside Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre has uncovered the foundations of a circular marble monument that once surrounded the rock-cut burial chamber venerated as the tomb of Jesus. Measuring about 20 feet across, the monument was constructed from repurposed marble slabs, shaped and mortared together, and featured a narrow water channel. Francesca Romana Stasolla, who leads the excavation, argues the monument’s form aligns with early depictions of the shrine and may stem from a Constantine-era commission, suggesting early Christians recognized the tomb’s importance.

Some marble fragments show decorative patterns from a later period, hinting at repairs after the 614 AD Persian attack. The findings, detailed in a comprehensive 605-page report covering work from 2022-2025, also include an ancient road that could have served as a procession route to the site of execution. The discovery adds physical evidence to the long-standing tradition that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre marks the place of Jesus' burial, a claim contested by proponents of the Garden Tomb.