Archaeological evidence of the Second Temple period and the days of Jesus was uncovered in Gethsemane

During archaeological excavations in preparation for development, a 2000-year-old purification mikve was discovered near the well-known modern church, as well as impressive remains of a Byzantine church (from about 1500 years ago). Researchers from the Franciscan Research Institute are also participating in the excavation * announced today (Monday) at a press conference in Jerusalem, with the participation of the Custos, Head of the Holy Land Guards, Brother Francesco Paton

The first archaeological evidence of its kind for life during the Second Temple in Gethsemane has been uncovered In archaeological excavations of the Antiquities Authority in collaboration with the researchers of the Franciscan Research Institute Next to the modern church. A purification mikve from 2000 years ago was discovered in the place - the time when, according to Christian belief, Jesus worked in Jerusalem. Also, impressive remains of a Byzantine church were uncovered in the Kidron valley at the foot of the church.

The impressive archaeological discoveries were announced today (Monday), Christmas Eve, at a press conference attended by the Custos - head of the Holy Land Guards, Brother Francesco Paton, researchers from the Antiquities Authority and researchers from the Franciscan Research Institute.

The latest excavations conducted at the site confirmed the ancient Christian tradition linked to the place

The Custos, Brother Francesco Paton, head of the "Custody of the Holy Land" of the Franciscan Order, said: "Gethsemane is one of the most important holy places in the Holy Land. In this place the tradition mentions the sincere prayer of Jesus and his betrayal. Every year, millions of pilgrims visit this place and pray there. The latest excavations conducted at the site confirmed the ancient Christian tradition linked to the place. For us and for the spiritual meaning associated with the place, this is very important. With great pleasure, I welcome this fruitful collaboration between the Custody of the Holy Land, the Franciscan School for the Study of the Holy Land and the Antiquities Authority, and I hope we can leverage the scientific achievement for future collaborations."

In recent years, the Custodia de Terra Santa has been promoting tourism development in the Church of Gethsemane and the Kidron Valley at its foot, for the benefit of tourists and pilgrims. The development includes a visitor center and an underground tunnel, which will connect the church to the garden. Following the discovery of antiquities during the development works, the Antiquities Authority began an archaeological rescue excavation at the site, by Amit Ram and David Yegar in collaboration with researchers from the Franciscan Research Institute (Studium Biblicum Franciscanum).

The Church of Gethsemane (also known as the Church of Sorrow or the Church of All Nations), located at the foot of the famous Mount of Olives, is one of the most important churches for Christianity, and every year thousands of pilgrims visit the place. The modern church was built in the place where, according to Christian tradition, Jesus was betrayed and imprisoned. According to Christian belief, Jesus used to pray on the Mount of Olives and prayed in Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion.

In the place attributed to these events from the Second Temple period, the picturesque church, which stands out in the view of the old city, was built in 1919-1924. During the laying of the foundations of the building, remains of churches from the Byzantine and Crusader periods were uncovered. However, not a single archaeological remains from the Second Temple period was found, the time period in which according to the Christian faith Jesus worked there.

During the excavation of the new tunnel for visitors, and a few meters from the modern church, an underground space was surprisingly discovered, which was identified as a mikvah of purity from the times of the Second Temple.

Mikveh Tahara from the Second Temple period

According to Amit Ram, Jerusalem district archaeologist at the Antiquities Authority: "The finding of the mikveh of purification confirms with a high degree of probability the ancient name given to the place - Gethsemane.
For the most part, purification mikvahs from the Second Temple were found in residential buildings and public buildings, or near agricultural facilities and graves. In this case, the mikvah is in the open. Finding it detached from buildings probably indicates the existence of an agricultural industry in the place 2000 years ago - perhaps oil or wine production. Purification laws in Judaism required those engaged in the craft of producing oil and wine to purify themselves. If so, the finding of the mikvah may be evidence of the reason why the place received its ancient name - "Gethshmani", a place where oil was produced in purification near the city."

Remains of an unknown church were also found in the excavation, which was established at the end of the Byzantine period (6th century AD) and continued to be used during the Umayyad period (8th century AD). The church was decorated with thoughtfully carved stone items, which testify to its importance. According to the excavation managers, David Yegar and Amit Ram from the Antiquities Authority, The church commemorates one of the many events attributed to the place in the New Testament. An inscription in Greek found embedded in the floor of the church and deciphered by Dr. Leah Di Segni from the Hebrew University and Dr. Rosario Pierri from the Franciscan Institute reads: "In memory and redemption of the lovers of Jesus, God who accepted the sacrifice of Abraham, accept the offering of your servants and erase their sins." Antiquities Authority archaeologist David Yager, Adds: "It is interesting to see that the church was active, and perhaps even founded, while Jerusalem was under Muslim rule, and this is evidence that the Christian pilgrimage movement continued during this period as well."

During the Middle Ages, a large hostel or monastery was built there, with a large number of rooms, sophisticated water systems, and two large cisterns with carved cross decorations on their sides. The researchers recognize that the site was destroyed in the 12th century, probably as a result of the Ayyubid conquest (1187). According to the historical sources, Saladin, the Ayyubid Sultan, ordered the churches and buildings on the Mount of Olives to be dismantled, and their stones used to rebuild the city walls.

According to Amit Ram, Jerusalem district archaeologist at the Antiquities Authority, "The excavation in Gethsemane is a clear example of Jerusalem archeology at its best, combining different traditions and beliefs with archeology and historical evidence. The archaeological remains found will be integrated into the visitor center being built on the spot and presented to tourists and pilgrims, in the hope that they will return to visit Jerusalem soon."