Recent archaeological discoveries in Jerusalem are helping to pinpoint the location of the crucifixion of Jesus.
The place of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus is subject to some controversy. The fact is we don’t really know. There are clues in the Gospels – He was executed outside the city walls at a place called “the Skull” (Matt.27:33) and He was buried in an unused borrowed tomb (Matt. 27:57-60) described as a garden (John 19:41). The site of the crucifixion and burial are also described as being close to each other.
Beyond these clues, the exact location is not clear. Jerusalem faced massive destruction in 70AD as part of the suppression of the Jews and demolition of their temple. The city was eventually renamed Aelia Capitolina and became a Roman colony with a temple dedicated to Jupiter. The Jews had been expelled and the Roman province of Judea (Judah) renamed Palestine (Philistine). With such seismic changes it is not surprising that the location of the crucifixion site was forgotten.
