Israeli archaeologist discovers King Herods tomb near Jerusalem

Renowned Israeli archaeologist Prof. Ehud Netzer has discovered the tomb of King Herod.

London, May 8 : Renowned Israeli archaeologist Prof. Ehud Netzer has discovered the tomb of King Herod.

The discovery, the ruins of Herod's fortified palace, was made in Herodium, a flattened hilltop in the desert east of Jerusalem, after a 35-year search.

Prof. Netzer started his search on the place in Herodium in 1972. But although most historians and archaeologists remained convinced that Herod was buried there, up until now no substantial evidence had been found.

Hebrew University of Jerusalem, for which Prof. Netzer has been working on the project, wanted to keep the discovery secret until today, when they planned to make a formal announcement in a press conference.

However, late last night, the university released its preliminary details of the find on its website after the news was broken by the Israeli newspaper, Haaretz.

In a brief statement, the university confirmed that the discovery was made in Herodium, around seven miles from the city.

However, further details of the discovery are expected to be revealed today, the university said.

According to researchers, the discovery solves one of the region's greatest archaeological mysteries.

The assumption that Herod, appointed King of Judea by the Romans in around 37BC, had been buried at the site was based on the writings of the ancient Jewish historian Flavius Josephus.

Historians believe Herod, who died in 4BC, had decided to construct his tomb at the site because of the strong attachment he developed with his fortress, which eventually became one of the largest palaces in the Roman Empire.

The first recorded archaeological dig at the site was conducted in 1956 by a Franciscan monk. He searched for six years for the tomb of Herod, who earned the title 'Herod the Great' because of his expansion of the Judea empire from Palestine to parts of Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, constructing fortresses, aqueducts and amphitheatres during his reign.

But although he made various findings casting a window into how Herod used Herodium as a residential palace, a power base, a sanctuary and a mausoleum, the tomb remained an enigma.

Israel began its excavations of the site shortly after occupying the territory in 1972. But since then multiple excavations at the site failed to locate either the tomb or grave.

According to the Independent, Prof. Netzer had been successful because he focused on a different part of Herodium than in previous excavations, between the upper part of Herodium and the site's two palaces.

ANI