Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Monumental entryway found at Herod’s palace

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A 20-meter-high entry complex has been found at the Herodian Hilltop Palace in Jerusalem.


The Hebrew University archaeologists — Roi Porat, Yakov Kalman and Rachel Chachy — suggest that the corridor was built as part of Herod’s plan to turn Herodium into a massive artificial volcano-shaped hill, a vast and impressive monument designed to commemorate the architect-King.


Surprisingly, during the course of the excavations, it became evident that the arched corridor was never actually in use, as prior to its completion it became redundant. This appears to have happened when Herod, aware of his impending death, decided to convert the whole hilltop complex into a massive memorial mound, a royal burial monument on an epic scale.


[Full story]


Story: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem | Photo: The Herodium Expedition at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem



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