A Proposed Reciprocal Sightline Between Conder's Tomb and Little Galilee, Jerusalem
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: This study investigates a previously unexplored geographical and archaeoastronomical relationship between Conder's Tomb, an ancient rock-cut burial complex north of Jerusalem, and Viri Galilaei (Little Galilee) on the Mount of Olives, where a tradition preserved by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem locates an appearance of the risen Jesus to his gathered disciples. The primary finding concerns architectural orientation and geographical alignment, independently of any astronomical calculation. Using nineteenth-century archaeological documentation, geodetic calculations, and satellite-derived elevation data, the investigation establishes a geographical bearing of approximately 92.43° between Conder's Tomb and Little Galilee, separated by approximately 1.46 kilometres. This bearing closely corresponds to the tomb's estimated east-facing entrance orientation of approximately 92°, reconstructed from historical survey drawings. Terrain-profile analysis using ALOS-derived elevation data identifies a near-threshold reciprocal sightline. The recalculated model produces an obstruction of approximately 0.37 metres at the assumed observation heights; modest changes in viewpoint height or position produce an unobstructed line in the model. A comparative examination of three proposed burial locations—Conder's Tomb, the Garden Tomb, and the Holy Sepulchre—finds that Conder's Tomb alone exhibits a close correspondence between its estimated outward entrance orientation and the geographical bearing toward Viri Galilaei. The comparison is limited to these three sites and the available architectural evidence. An additional, independent astronomical reconstruction places the Sun at approximately the same horizontal azimuth at 06:54:43 Jerusalem local mean solar time on April 5, AD 33 (Julian calendar), under one proposed chronology of the crucifixion. The study examines whether these geographical relationships warrant renewed investigation of the historical tradition associated with Little Galilee, including the possibility that the location preserves an ancient geographical memory. The analysis does not establish Conder's Tomb as the burial place of Jesus, demonstrate continuous transmission of the Little Galilee tradition from the first century, or verify a Resurrection appearance. Its contribution is the documentation of a testable geographical and architectural correspondence, supplemented by terrain modelling and historical source analysis. The publication is accompanied by archaeological illustrations, comparative orientation diagrams, terrain profiles, computational results, and supporting research materials. Research status: Independent working paper / preprint. Not peer-reviewed. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.24055945
Author: Habich-Traut, Erich
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology (arts and humanities)
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225572575