Hebrew University archaeologists unearth 20-meter-high corridor at Herodium National Park
Posted on 12/19/2014 2:03:42 PM PST by SunkenCiv
Archaeologists from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Institute of Archaeology have discovered a monumental entryway to the Herodian Hilltop Palace at the Herodium National Park. The unique complex was uncovered during excavations by The Herodium Expedition in Memory of Ehud Netzer over the past year, as part of a project to develop the site for tourism.
The main feature of the entryway is an impressive corridor with a complex system of arches spanning its width on three separate levels. These arches buttressed the corridor's massive side-walls, allowing the King and his entourage direct passage into the Palace Courtyard. Thanks to the supporting arches, the 20-meter long and 6-meter wide corridor has been preserved to a height of 20 meters.
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.
Whatever the case, the corridor was back-filled during the construction of the massive artificial hill at the end of Herod's reign. The upper section of a new monumental stairway stretching from the hill's base to its peak, constructed during the course of this building phase, appears to have been built over it.
(Excerpt) Read more at new.huji.ac.il ...
Hebrew University archaeologists unearth 20-meter-high corridor at Herodium National Park
Through that door, we don’t go.
Hmmm. A construction project delayed or ended because of the death of a king.
Now that makes me wonder anew at how the much larger pyramids were apparently completed by the time of death of their respective pharaohs. Being much larger they would have taken many more years to construct yet they were available for the burial. How’d they move all those millions of blocks of stone within the life span of a pharaoh?
I’m not sayin’ it was aliens—but it was aliens.
Is this the palace at Masada?
Nope.
;’) Abu Roash, Djedjefre, web search that one. :’)
A government built corridor to nowhere. I guess some things don’t change.
Bethlehem area. Wow, I was in Bethlehem on 22 Dec 2005 while stationed in Israel. Sure do miss this cradle of civilization, the crossroads of ancient civilization, e.g., Israel!
really enjoyed Israel. Bethlehem in now in the arab area. My wife wouldn’t go.
The question is:
Did they finish the pyramid—and then dismantle it stone by stone or did they work on it and quit when Djedjefre died?
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