An aerial view reveals Mount Herodium and the excavations conducted by Hebrew University professor Ehud Netzer during his search for King Herod's tomb.

The Roman-appointed ruler reigned over the province of Judea (now parts of southern Israel and Palestinian territory) from 37 to 4 B.C. He is well known for many elaborate construction projects, including the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, the city of Caesarea, and the palace and forts atop the plateau of Masada. But the administrative, residential, memorial, and burial complex that once stood at Herodium was his most grandiose.

Many scholars have long suspected that Herod chose to be buried at Herodium, as it is his only project to carry his name. But it was only on May 8, 2007, that Netzer announced he and his colleagues had finally uncovered the remains of the king's grave, sarcophagus, and mausoleum after a decades-long search.

—Mati Milstein

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