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Tomb believed to be the place where the body of Jesus Christ was laid is opened for the first time in 500 years

A second grey marble slab which no one knew existed was engraved with a cross was discovered

THE TOMB which is believed to be the place where the body of Jesus Christ laid for three days has been opened for the first time in centuries.

A debate as to whether the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is the site of one of the most famous miracles, which saw Christ buried and then resurrected, as gone on for decades.

Aedicule of the Holy Sepulchre, Church of the Holy Sepulchre or Church of the Resurrection
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The tomb of Jesus Christ in the Holy Sepulchre, Church of the Holy Sepulchre (pictured) has been opened for first time in 500 yearsCredit: Getty Images
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A debate as to whether the shrine is the site of the famous miracle has gone on for decadesCredit: Getty Images
A picture shows the entrance of the Tomb of Jesus at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre under renovation in Jerusalem's
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 The entrance of the Tomb of Jesus - which is where Christ is believed to have laid for three days after his crucifixionCredit: Getty Images
photo, shows the moment workers remove the top marble layer of the tomb
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Workers have removed the top marble layer of the tomb and discovered a second layer of marble underneathCredit: AP:Associated Press

A shrine inside the church is believed to contain the tomb where the body of Jesus Christ laid for three days after his crucifixion.

The marble lid of the tomb, which has been sealed since 1555, has been removed for the first time in 500 years, the Daily Mirror has reported.

Underneath, researchers discovered the limestone shelf where it is believe Christ's body was placed.

A second grey marble slab which no one knew existed which was engraved with a cross believed to have been carved in the 12th century was also discovered.

Archaeology work at the tomb of Jesus Christ in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
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A shrine inside the church is believed to contain the tomb where the body of Jesus Christ laidCredit: EPA
Archaeology work at the tomb of Jesus Christ in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
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The marble lid of the tomb, which has been sealed since 1555, has been removed for the first time in 500 yearsCredit: EPA
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Researchers discovered the limestone shelf where it is believe Christ's body was placedCredit: AP:Associated Press

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Archaeologist Fredik Hiebert of National Geographic, which was a partner in the project, said discovering the second layer of marble was an 'amazing thing'.

He added: "The shrine has been destroyed many times by fire, earthquakes, and invasions over the centuries. We didn't really know if they had built it in exactly the same place every time.

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A cross believed to have been carved in the 12th century was also discoveredCredit: Getty Images
Archaeology work at the tomb of Jesus Christ in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
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Archaeologist Fredik Hiebert of National Geographic said discovery was an 'amazing thing'Credit: EPA
A picture shows the Tomb of Jesus, where
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Hiebert said his legs were shaking after making the discoveryCredit: Getty Images

"But this seems to be visible proof that the spot the pilgrims worship today really is the same tomb the Roman Emperor Constantine found in the 4th century and the Crusaders revered. It's amazing.

"When we realised what we had found my knees were shaking a little bit."

 

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