Archaeologists 'close to finding' house where Jesus held Last Supper

The house where the Last Supper may have taken place is still standing in Jerusalem 2,000 years later, according to archaeologists.

They suggest that the biblical gathering took place in the 'Upper Room' of a two-storey house with limestone walls and a red, sloping roof, which remarkably remains intact in the city after two millennia.

This room is briefly mentioned in the Book of Luke 22:11-13, when Jesus Christ asked for a large, furnished upper room where he and his disciples could partake in their Passover meal. The Bible recounts the story of the Last Supper in 33 AD, when Jesus sat with his 12 apostles and revealed that one among them would betray him - identifying Judas Iscariot as the traitor.

He also told his followers that his death was near, and not long after, Jesus was crucified by the Romans.

As reported by The Daily Mail, this location has been depicted in several artworks dating back to at least the fourth century AD - around the same time Christians began visiting the room to honour the last moments of Christ's freedom before his crucifixion - and thousands continue to visit the Upper Room each year, reports the Mirror US.

In the narrative, Jesus blessed the bread and wine, explaining that they symbolised his body that would be broken and the blood he would shed for the forgiveness of sins - a reference still symbolically used today during Christian services incorporating the Eucharist sacrament.

The Upper Room, believed by archaeologists to be the site of the Last Supper, also known as the Cenacle, was originally a prayer room capable of accommodating over 120 people. This location is briefly mentioned in the Book of Luke 22:11-13, where Jesus asks for a large, furnished upper room where he and his disciples could share their Passover meal.

This two-storey house is situated in Jerusalem's old city on Mount Zion, positioned above the southern gate. It was built with expansive, branching columns that supported a vaulted ceiling and a sloping red roof, which remains visible today.

However, due to the inability to carry out archaeological excavations at the site, it remains unconfirmed whether the building existed during Jesus' time.

In 1884, Greek Orthodox Christians discovered what is thought to be the earliest map of Jerusalem while constructing a new church in Madaba, Jordan, dating back to 560 AD. The map was designed as a depiction of the Holy Land, showcasing the Cardo Maximus (main street) and two sacred structures at the southern end, identifiable by their red roofs.

However, it wasn't until 2017 that David Christian Clausen, an adjunct lecturer in Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, noticed something unusual. He was drawn to a building with the same red, sloped roof as the Cenacle, located in the exact same spot.

Fascination gripped researchers as they sought more evidence to confirm the site as the true location of the Last Supper. A sixth-century illustration, discovered in 1846 Italy, depicts Jesus entering Jerusalem's southern gate on a donkey with the Cenacle - where the Last Supper is believed to have occurred - visible in the background.

The biblical account from the Book of Matthew narrates Jesus's entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy that foretold the ‘Second coming of Jesus Christ’ and the resurrection of the dead.

The narrative also quotes: "Tell the city of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you! He is humble and rides on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

In addition, a separate representation of the site surfaced in 1585 AD when a fourth-century sculpture was unearthed, showing Jesus with Mary Magdalene post-resurrection, and just behind them, a structure with an identifiably slanted roof.

As per the Book of John, Jesus ventured back to the Upper Room after rising from the dead. This detail correlates the image of him with Mary Magdalene to the scriptural account, yet some archaeologists remain sceptical.

A contending interpretation of the sculpture suggests it portrays Christ consulting with an unknown, kneeling woman seeking healing rather than a depiction of his resurrection.

In a groundbreaking project reminiscent of a Dan Brown thriller, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) utilised cutting-edge laser technology and advanced photographic imaging in 2019 to peel back centuries of modifications to the Cenacle, aiming to uncover its original appearance during the time of the Last Supper.

"I felt like I was in the book by Dan Brown, 'The Da Vinci Code'," said Amit Re'em, Jerusalem district archaeologist for the IAA, in an interview with Fox News. "We needed to decipher the ancient symbols."

The meticulous mapping of the site led to the creation of precise models, unveiling fascinating elements within the Cenacle, including previously unnoticed artwork such as the Agnus Dei or 'Lamb of God' and the Lion of Judah emblazoned on the ceiling.

"The lion was the symbol of King David," Re'em elaborated to Fox, noting that: "According to ancient scriptures, Jesus was a descendent of King David."

Despite these discoveries, Re'em emphasised the need for further research to confirm the Cenacle's connection to the Last Supper, acknowledging the lack of archaeological proof thus far. The IAA has faced challenges in studying the site due to inadequate lighting, worn walls, and numerous renovations over the years.

"From time to time, when we have an opportunity, we're continuing to document other parts of the holy complex," Re'em disclosed to Fox.

"I hope that maybe, in the future, we will have the opportunity to conduct a small-scale classical archaeological investigation."