A man puts change into a parking meter as Michael Grant, 28, "Philly Jesus," carries a 12 foot cross 8 miles through North Philadelphia to LOVE Park in Center City as part of a Christmas walk to spread the true message of the holiday in Philadel
A man puts change into a parking meter as Michael Grant, 28, "Philly Jesus," carries a 12 foot cross 8 miles through North Philadelphia to LOVE Park in Center City as part of a Christmas walk to spread the true message of the holiday in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania December 20, 2014. As many as a half dozen others joined him for numerous miles as he trekked southward down Broad Street. Some shouted "Praise Jesus!" and "Thank you for doing this!"?at the sight. Nearly everyday for the last 8 months, Grant has dressed as Jesus Christ, and walked the streets of Philadelphia to share the Christian gospel by example. He quickly acquired the nickname of "Philly Jesus," which he has gone by ever since. REUTERS/Mark Makela

Archaeologists may have discovered a spot of biblical significance. A group of researchers claim to have found the very place where Jesus Christ's trial was conducted, before his crucifixion.

The Washington Post broke the news on Jan. 4, 2015. According to the daily news publication, the researchers dedicated to the work on Tower of David Museum stumbled upon "suspected remains of the palace where one of the more famous scenes of the New Testament may have taken place-the trial of Jesus." The site is situated in the Old City of Jerusalem, under the abandoned building standing next to the museum.

The archaeologists started working on the expansion programme and excavating the prison almost 15 years ago. However, they faced delays due to lack of funds. Now the site is being opened to the public and there are tours being organized for the common people.

Speaking to the abovementioned publication, Amit Re'em, the Jerusalem district archaeologist spearheading the project for decades, said the prison is "a great part of the ancient puzzle of Jerusalem and shows the history of this city in a very unique and clear way."

During their work on the building, the archaeologist and his colleagues have made some astonishing discoveries including some significant symbols, foundation walls and underground sewage system built by the labourers serving during the reign of the King Herod the Great.

However, debate over the site of trial and location of Herod's palace continues. But the place is considered significant for the pilgrims as many scholars believe that it was here where Jesus' was tried and sentenced to death by the Roman procurator Pontious Pilate and was "eventually crucified and buried."

As noted in the report, the site of Jesus' trial is still a topic of debate because of diverse "interpretations of the Gospels." However, Shimon Gibson, an archaeology professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, believes that the trial was conducted "somewhere within Herod's palace compound."

According to the description in Gospel of John, the trial was held at a "place near a gate and on bumpy stone pavement." The professor explains this information matches the evidence at the site near the prison.

"There is, of course, no inscription stating it happened here, but everything - archaeological, historical and gospel accounts - all falls into place and makes sense," Shimon Gibson explained. Meanwhile, the Reverend David Pileggi told the publication that the findings confirm "that the trial took place near the Tower of David." At the same time, based on Gospels' description, some experts say that the trial took place in Pilate's "praetorium," or general's tent with a Roman encampment."

Furthermore, the Rev. believes that the site may not become the new holy site for pilgrims just as soon and may not even have any major implications on the route of Via Dolorosa. However, director Eilat Lieber is hopeful to see the prison become a site of "attraction for Christians."

For questions/comments regarding the article, you may e-mail the writer atj.kaur@IBTimes.com.au.