Israel’s largest archaeological expedition–the excavation of the ancient palace of King Herod of Judea, on the Metzada Chiff north of Sodom on the Dead Sea–got underway today under the direction of Dr. Yigael Yadin, Hebrew University archaeologist and former Chief of Staff of the Israel Army, Herod ascended the throne of Judea 2,000 years ago in the year 37 B.C.E.
Supported by financial contributions by the Israel Government, the Wolfson Fund and the London Observer, the project will receive technical assistance from the Israeli Army which paved a temporary road for the use of the expedition and which also will supply tent camps for the workers and equipment to lift supplies 1,300 feet to the top of the cliff.
The expedition, which will remain at the site for six months and will employ 200 workers including 40 from abroad, will excavate the palace on the northern edge of the cliff which also served as the last Jewish resistance stronghold against the Romans during the Bar Xochba uprising in the year 93 C. E.
Dr. Yadin, who expressed the hope that the expedition will result in important re-evaluations of the historical remains on the site, will later supervise the reconstruction of the palace destined to become one of the leading tourist attractions in Israel.
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