Analysis of newly revealed items found at the site of
the mausoleum of King Herod at Herodium (Herodion in Greek) have provided
Hebrew University of Jerusalem archaeological researchers with further
assurances that this was indeed the site of the famed ruler’s 1st century
B.C.E. grave.
Herod was the Roman-appointed king of Judea from 37 to
4 B.C.E., who was renowned for his many monumental building projects, including
the reconstruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, the palace at Masada, the harbor
and city of Caesarea, as well as the palatial complex at Herodium, 15
kilometers south of Jerusalem.
On the basis of a study of the architectural elements
uncovered at the site, the researchers have been able to determine that the
mausoleum, among the remains of which Herod’s sarcophagus was found, was a
lavish two-story structure with a concave-conical roof, about 25 meters high –
a structure fully appropriate to Herod’s status and taste. The excavations
there have also yielded many fragments of two additional sarcophagi, which the
researchers estimate to have been members of Herod’s family.
The mausoleum, says Prof. Ehud Netzer, director of the
excavations, was deliberately destroyed by the Jewish rebels who occupied the
site during the First Jewish Revolt against the Romans which started in about
66 C.E.
Also found in the latest excavations are the remains of
an intimate theater just below and to the west of the mausoleum, with seats for
some 650 to 750 spectators, and a loggia (a kind of VIP viewing and hospitality
room) located at the top of the theater seats and decorated with wall paintings
and plaster moldings in a style that has not been seen thus far in Israel. The
style is known to have existed in Rome and Campania in Italy and is dateable
between 15 and 10 B.C.E. Thus far only one wall painting scene has been found
intact, though there are traces of others in the room. .
The dating of the wall paintings makes it reasonable to
assume, says Prof. Netzer, that the construction of the theater might be linked
to Roman general and politician Marcus Agrippa’s visit to Herodium in 15 B.C.E.
The theater and its lavish loggia were deliberately destroyed for the creation of
the conical artificial mount that constitutes the widely known popular image of
the Herodium site and that apparently was built at the very end of Herod's
reign.
Prof. Netzer is convinced that Herodium would never
have been built had it not been for Herod’s known determination, made at the
beginning of his career, to be buried in this isolated, arid area. He
undoubtedly personally chose the exact location for his mausoleum since it
overlooks Jerusalem and its surroundings. This led to his decision to make the
entire complex the “crowning glory” of his outstanding building career and to
name it after himself.
The extensive site, which probably will not be fully
excavated for many years to come, if ever, includes a huge palatial complex,
the theater, and a “country club” of sorts, including a large pool, baths and
gardens, in addition to Herod’s burial installations and mausoleum. The palace
was the largest of its kind in the Roman world of that time and must have
attracted yearly hundreds, if not thousands, of guests, says Prof. Netzer.
A description of Herodium, as well as of Herod’s
funeral procession there, can be found in the writings of the ancient Roman-era
historian, Flavius Josephus.
Working with Prof. Netzer at the site have been Yaakov
Kalman, Roi Porath and Rachel Chachy-Laureys of the Hebrew University Institute
of Archaeology. Restoration work of the coffins was carried out by Orna Cohen,
and the laboratory of the Israel Museum helped with the consolidation of the
wall paintings.
Prof. Netzer is hopeful that with the further findings
at Herodium, there will be increased visits to the site by Israelis and
tourists, and that the overall area might be converted into a national park.
The excavations, on behalf of the Institute of
Archaeology of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, have been conducted with the
assistance of the Israel Exploration Society, with contributions by individuals
and Yad-Hanadiv foundation. There also has been financial aid from the National
Geographic Society. Also collaborating in the excavations are the Israel Nature
and Parks Authority and the Gush Etzion Regional Council. The Israel Museum
will launch in 2010 an exhibition of the findings there.
Shaul Goldstein, head of the Gush Etzion Regional
Council, said that “the Gush Etzion Regional Council views the Herodium
National Park as an important historic site worthy of great investment in order
to assure its preservation. In recent years, the council has worked diligently
in order to preserve and develop the site through the investment of millions of
shekels, half of which has been devoted to the excavations by Prof. Netzer, and
half in the development of the visitor facilities there. Additionally, the
council also allocates significant sums every year in publicizing the site,
along with the Nature and Parks Authority.”
