Masada, Israel's most famous archaeological site
is located on top of a 1,300 foot cliff at the edge of the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea Valley.
Masada was first the site of an elaborate palace which later served as a Roman outpost,
and finally it was used as a refuge for religious rebels. Written historical
information and archaeological evidence gained from this site have not completely
overlapped. As a result of this incongruence, there is continued debate over some of
the details surrounding the specific events which took place at Masada. But further
excavations continue to shed light on the people who lived there.
According to written history, King Herod ruled over Israel from 2035 B.P. until 2002 B.C. from his fortress at Masada. His reign there was followed by a Roman garrison's occupation of the site which lasted until around 66 A.D.--the beginning of the Jewish revolt against Rome. After the Romans destroyed Jerusalem, the Jewish zealots sought refuge at Masada (~70 A.D.). They lived there until 73 A.D. when the Romans successfully breached the fortress walls. Rather than be enslaved by their enemies, the zealots chose to kill themselves. The mass suicide theory continues to be debated to this day. Apparently the number of human skeletal remains recovered thus far have not been enough to substantiate this widely accepted historical account.
Excavations at the Masada site have revealed much about the lay-out of Herod's palace. Elaborate entryways, mosaic floors and frescoes abound. A Roman bathhouse, storage areas and administrative buildings have also been uncovered. Recent discoveries include storage-jar fragments, nut and egg shells, dates, olive pits, cloth, baskets, wooden implements and a clay wine jug inscribed with King Herod's name. Much of these recent artifacts have been found in what has been termed a 2,000 year-old garbage dump. This dump probably served as a storage area in the time of King Herod, but as different groups moved in, King Herod's "garbage" was thrown out. Due to the dry, desert air environment of Masada, the artifact preservation has been exceptional. From 1963 to 1965 97% of the site was restored by Professor Yigael Yadin. Further excavations have been undertaken by Professor Ehud Netzer of Hebrew University's Institute of Archaeology.
Archaeological evidence is the key to understanding Masada's past. Although Masada continues to be the center of historical debate, further archaeological explanations may some day reveal the validity or inaccuracy in the historical accounts of Masada. Regardless of its impact on written history, archaeology will continue to reveal the way of life for Masada's inhabitants.