Herod’s tomb found after 35-year search

The location of the tomb, one of the greatest archaeological mysteries in Israel, was discovered by Ehud Netzer at Herodium, a cone-shaped mound in the Judean Desert about eight miles south of Jerusalem.

Netzer, scheduled to release details at a news conference on Tuesday, declined to give any further information. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported the discovery on Monday, and the university confirmed it the news that evening.

Historical accounts by Jewish historian Flavius Josephus indicated that Herod was buried at Herodium, and Netzer has been excavating in the area since 1972. He finally located the grave midway between the upper part of Herodium and the lower palaces, an area not previously studied. The man-made cone, built to commemorate Herod’s victory over the Parthians and Hasmoneans in 40 BC, had a combination palace and fortress at the top and another palace and administrative centre at the base.

Herod was a ruthless and cruel ruler, but he also was an able and far-sighted administrator who built the economic base of Judea, founding cities and developing agricultural projects. His greatest achievement was the expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, which subsequently became known as Herod’s Temple.

Herodium towers nearly 800 yards above the desert floor. A circular fortress at the top enclosed a modest palace that was splendidly appointed with floors of coloured tiles, mosaics and wall paintings.

At the base of the cone were several royal buildings and gardens surrounding a 70-by 46-yard swimming pool that also served as the main reservoir.