The Tomb of Jesus in Jerusalem would have experienced catastrophic collapse if it had not been restored. The unstable foundations of holy site has been restored for nine months by the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and has recently been reopened to the public.

Specifically, the Tomb of Jesus restoration focused on the site's Edicule or a small "house" inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Scholars and religious figures believe this where the body of Jesus Christ was placed.

If the Tomb of Jesus restoration did not happen, it might have occurred in tragedy as it could result in structural failure. National Geographic reports that the holy shrine would have given in underneath and visitors might have gotten hurt.

In the restoration records of the NTUA, they have learned more about the holy site in doing the Tomb of Jesus restoration. They found out that because of its colored history, it teetered on a slopey bedrock of limestone that once was quarried.

The Guardian notes that the holy shrine which encompasses that Holy Sepulchre Church, burial and resurrection site of Jesus has been reconstructed at least four times. The Tomb of Jesus restoration cost around $4 million with funds coming from various denominations including Syrian Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Greek Orthodox, Copts and Roman Catholic.

The NTUA scientists found during the Tomb of Jesus restoration that there were various tunnels below the Edicule. The foundation of the holy site also needed drastic strengthening as some of it has crumbled due to age.

In addition to restoring the Edicule for the Tomb of Jesus restoration, the NTUA scientists also reinforced the shrine's foundations with mortar and titanium bolts. They also cleaned up remnants of candle wax, soot and droppings from pigeons.

With the Tomb of Jesus restoration completed, the restored Edicule will be officially opened with a ceremony at the Holy Sepulchre church on Wednesday. The site will then be open to the public once more.

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