The discoveries of biblical archeology in 2025 paint a vivid picture of a rich, interconnected world whose traces resonate across millennia, in stone and text. The ongoing excavations at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, believed to have been built over the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial, continue to offer a glimpse into the site’s early days, indicating what the geography may have been like before the construction of the church in the 4th century. Archaeological excavations elsewhere offer insights into the early spread of Christianity around the world, including vestiges of 7th-century monastic life in the Persian Gulf. New research is also revealing paths that Saint Paul, the apostle who spread the Christian faith throughout the Roman Empire, may have used during his mission. Meanwhile, sophisticated new technologies are enriching our understanding of the Dead Sea Scrolls and even shedding light on the extensive trade routes that would have explained the many appearances of ivory in the Old Testament.
Together, these new discoveries and research offer compelling insights into the material realities of the biblical stories, changing the way we understand the Bible, both as a book of faith and as the primary text of the ancient world.
An ancient garden discovered beneath the Holy Sepulcher
The Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem has been a site of pilgrimage and Christian devotion since it was built by the 4th century Roman Emperor Constantine. But the centuries have taken their toll (much of the current structure dates back to the work of 12th-century European crusaders) and the site is currently undergoing extensive restoration to shore up its unstable and deteriorating foundations for future generations. This presents a rare and precious opportunity for archaeologists, who are currently working to unlock the site’s ancient mysteries.
A team led by Professor Francesca Romana Stasolla of Rome’s Sapienza University is conducting archaeological excavations beneath the floor of the structure, peeling back layers of history to look at how the site has been used over the millennia. The team found traces of an Iron Age quarry, for example, but over time it was moved to a farming site. Specifically, Archaeobotanical analysis, the study of ancient plants, has revealed evidence of cereals, grapes and figs. This coincides with the details given in the Gospel of John, which says that Jesus was crucified next to a garden and then buried in it: “The Gospel mentions a green area between Calvary and the tomb, and we identify these cultivated fields,” Stasolla he told the Israel Times.
Discoveries and research show the spread of early Christianity from Abu Dhabi to the suburbs of Rome
Powerful finds from many regions offered a window into the world of early Christianity. Together, they paint a picture of vitality and movement of ideas, as well as the diversity of the communities that embraced the nascent religion.