King Herod’s Tomb Unearthed
Hebrew University Professor Ehud Netzer has uncovered the tomb and grave of King Herod "The Great". The tomb has been sought for a long time but has been extremely elusive. It was finally located by Netzer. Details were supposed to be released tomorrow, but the Ha'aretz newspaper learned about the discovery and trumpeted the news.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem announced Monday night that it has uncovered the grave and tomb of King Herod, who ruled Judea for the Roman empire from circa 37 BCE.
According to a press release from the Hebrew University, the news of the archeological find at Herodium was to be announced Tuesday morning at a special news conference, and was to be kept secret until then, but the discovery by Haaretz of the story had led to the premature announcement.
The tomb was discovered by Hebrew University Professor Ehud Netzer, who is considered one of the leading experts on King Herod. Netzer has conducted archeological digs at Herodium since 1972 in an attempt to locate the grave and tomb.
The discovery solves one of Israel's greatest archeological mysteries. Additional details will be made available at the Tuesday press conference.
The majority of researchers had believed that Herod was in fact buried at Herodium, based on the writings of the ancient Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, but multiple excavations at the site failed to locate the grave.
Netzer's successful dig focused on a different part of the site than previous excavations, between the upper part of Herodium and the site's two palaces.
Herodium, a fortified palace built by Herod some 12 kilometers south of Jerusalem, was destroyed by the Romans in 71 CE.
This is the Herod who, according to the Gospel of Matthew, ordered the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem, not his son the other Herod who condemned Jesus. (The younger Herod wasn't actually a king, either, he was a tetrarch.) It will be really interesting to see what they have found in the tomb.
By Lars Walker, May 7, 2007 @ 7:44 pm
I think it’s important for pastors and teachers to explain to people that there was a whole dynasty of Herods, not just one nasty king who lived on and on.
By Gaius, May 7, 2007 @ 7:51 pm
That confused me for a long time until I sorted it out later in studying history.
By Chris, May 8, 2007 @ 2:53 am
They were quite the entertaining family, making the Plantagenets look like pikers.