Ruins of an ancient palace excavated at Sartaba-Alexandrium

ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE: Israeli archaeologists uncover remains of dramatic mountaintop royal palace. “It sheds light on the architectural style and the function of the site, which is not mentioned by Josephus, our only historical source for the period,” Dr. Raviv, director of the excavation, said. (Tazpit Press Service, Jerusalem Post).

The newly identified palace on the northwestern slope clarifies both the scale and splendor of the hilltop complex. Given Josephus's brief references to Alexandrium, physical evidence is essential for understanding how the Hasmoneans and Herod built and used the fortress.

According to Raviv, the architectural fragments uncovered so far allow archaeologists to reconstruct portions of the palace layout and better understand its function.

Early this year I noted the decipherment of an Aramaic ostracton excavated at Sartaba-Alexandrium in the 1980s. See here and here. Then a new exavation commenced at the site in March. Already it has discovered a major ancient architectural feature.

This site is also on the West Bank. The article discusses some of the arising issues and complications.

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