Newly Renovated Tomb of Christ in Danger of Collapse
Scientists warn that Christianity's holiest site, the tomb of Jesus in Jerusalem, is at risk of a major collapse as it sits on top of unstable bedrock and rubble, and as such, needs substantial renovation. This was revealed after the site's restoration work was unveiled last week.
The shrine holding the tomb of Jesus in Jerusalem's Old City underwent yearlong restoration to the tune of about $3.5 million. Called the Edicule, the shrine is located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Both shrine and the church are built over a cave where Jesus was purportedly buried.
A scientific team from the National Technical University of Athens was tapped to do the restoration, which involved reinforcing the bowing walls of the Edicule, re-anchoring columns with titanium rods and re-grouting layers of masonry that go back more than a thousand years.
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Now, the same team is saying the Edicule is in danger of "catastrophic" collapse if further repairs worth $6.5 million are not undertaken soon. This would involve strengthening the shrine's foundation and adding new sewage and rainwater drainage to protect it from water damage.
While the cave has been revered by millions of pilgrims for centuries, there is no archeological evidence that points to its significance as Christ's actual burial place. The site was designated as such by Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine in the fourth century.
Another tomb just outside the Old City walls is patronized by Protestants. The Garden Tomb was discovered outside the Damascus Gate in 1867. It was identified as the most probable burial place of Christ based on Biblical accounts that He was crucified outside the city gate. The Edicule, in contrast, is located within the city walls.
But Israeli archaeologist Gabriel Barkay, who first studied the Garden Tomb, can't tell if it actually is the site of Jesus' resurrection considering its style is different from other tombs that are much older, Christianity Today reported. Between the two sites, the Edicule is visited most by pilgrims.
