Archaeologists Discover Something 'Sensational' At The Location Of Jesus' Resurrection

Austrian archaeologists have shared information on a "sensational" discovery that was made at one of Christianity's holiest locations.

Inside Jerusalem's Old City lies the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also called the Church of the Resurrection. It dates back to the fourth century.

Christians believe that this location is where Jesus was buried and later rose from the dead, making it one of the holiest places on earth.

After hearing that construction workers were in wonder when they turned over a block of seemingly worthless marble, experts have recently flocked to the church.

A graffiti-covered stone has caught the world's attention. Amit Re’em/Israel Antiquities Authority

The stone, which measured eight feet long by five feet wide, had been positioned in a publicly accessible hallway close to the back of the structure.

Graffiti coated the marble on the side facing the public.

Upon turning the stone over, however, participants noticed that its reverse side bore unique inscriptions and ribbon decorations.

Further examination revealed that the unusual designs were created utilizing a distinct manufacturing method known as "Cosmatesque."

Large surfaces were covered in smaller pieces of priceless marble in the art style that was originally practised by guild masters in papal Rome.

Remarkably, the slab has subsequently been recognized by archaeologists as the front panel of the altar dedicated in 1149.

Previously, historians thought that the largest-known medieval altar—used by the Crusaders throughout the Middle Ages—had been lost for decades after being burned in a fire in 1808.

“For historians, this find is a sensation in several respects,” wrote the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW).

Researchers expressed amazement at the discovery but also expressed surprise at the significant slab's "long-term hiding in such a thoroughly studied structure as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre."

The altar was consecrated in 1149. Shai Halevi/Israel Antiquities Authority

Historian Ilya Berkovich of the Austrian Academy of Sciences' Institute for Habsburg and Balkan Studies discussed the altar's significance as follows: “We know of pilgrim accounts from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries about a magnificent marble altar in Jerusalem."

“In 1808, there was a major fire in the Romanesque part of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” said Berkovich.

“Since then, the Crusaders’ altar was lost - at least that’s what people thought for a long time.”

This finding, which the OeAW called "sensational," is believed to have been made with the Pope's approval.

Furthermore, they state that because Cosmatesque art was a highly prized status symbol, it was commissioned in honor of the holiest church in Christianity.

“The Pope thus paid tribute to the holiest church in Christianity,” Berkovich said.

The specialist and his team intend to conduct additional research and investigate the papal archives in order to uncover additional information regarding the stone in light of the altar's recent discovery.

Additionally, they wish to identify the Cosmatesque master who made the artwork.