When the Sacred Tomb of Jesus Was Opened For the First Time in Centuries, What Did Scientists See Inside?

(Photo : Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images) JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - MARCH 21: (ISRAEL OUT) The tomb of Jesus Christ with the rotunda is seen in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on March 21, 2017 in Jerusalem, Israel. The tomb of Jesus Christ in the rotunda of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City was, on 26 February 2017, without its iron cage for the first time since it was placed around the stone tomb by the British in 1947 to keep the Edicule from falling apart. Greek archaeologists have been working since June 2016 to restore the tomb, believed to be the place where Jesus Christ was buried and then resurrected from after his crucification.

Christians from all over the world have been frequenting Israel to see the holy sites pertaining to Jesus. Central to this journey are Jerusalem and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which houses the sacred tomb of Jesus.

As per MSN, this is where Jesus was laid after his crucifixion. It is currently the most accepted burial site for Jesus.

ALSO READ: Christ's Cause of Death During Crucifixion Explained by Doctor-Turned-Priest

When Scientists Opened the Sacred Tomb of Jesus for the First Time

Last 2016, scientists rolled the original rock and exposed this revered burial site for the first time in centuries.

According to National Geographic, enclosing the burial shelf was a small structure known as Edicule, which was a focus of the restoration efforts.

The tomb remained covered by claddings of marble since the year AD 1555. Dr. Fredrik Hiebert, an archaeologist and National Geographic fellow, said that the tomb's marble covering was pulled back. They were quite surprised by the fill material underneath.

The Independent notes that the researchers also found a second slab of gray marble that they previously did not know about. Engraved on the piece was a cross that may have been embedded by crusaders during the 1200s.

Though it may require rigid scientific analysis, Dr. Hiebert expressed how they could finally examine the surface where Jesus' body was laid.

The burial bed's exposure offers researchers the opportunity to look at the actual surface of Christianity's sacred site.

The National Geographic also further adds that initial findings confirmed that there were still present portions of the tomb that had endured destruction, damage, and reconstruction.

In fact, the shrine has been damaged by earthquakes, invasions, and fires for several centuries. The researchers realized that they had clear proof that this spot was the same one found by emperor Constantine back in the 4th century and that Crusaders greatly revered it.

Dr. Hiebert notes that, when they realized their findings, his knees shook a bit.

Also, during the tomb's opening, religious leaders from Armenian Orthodox and Greek churches, as well as Franciscan monks, were the first to go inside the tomb. Dr. Hiebert notes that they all went out with huge smiles gracing their faces.

Further restoration efforts at the sacred tomb of Jesus have since allowed it to become open to the public.

Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Sacred Tomb of Jesus

Based on the Bible, Christians believe that Jesus Christ was crucified, buried for three days, and rose again.

National Geographic notes more specifically that, based on Christian tradition, the body of Jesus was placed on a burial bed from a limestone cave's side after his crucifixion. Christians believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead three days after his death. Women who visited the burial site three days later to anoint his body found that Jesus' remains were not there.

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Check out more news and information on Archaeology in Science Times.