A museum of archaeological discoveries from the Masada excavations opened this weekend at the visitor center at the base of the mountain. The display includes 700 artifacts, including 12 inscribed potsherds which might be related to the final casting of lots described in Josephus’ account. The Jerusalem Post has the story.
The visitors’ museum experience begins in the lobby, where they receive audio headsets. They then pass through nine rooms, each of which features artifacts placed in three-dimensional scenes that depict facets of the Masada story.
In the Herod room, for example, visitors enter a display of black, statue-like figures at a banquet scene. Spread amongst these figures are artifacts such as a stone table, amphoras which held Herod’s provisions, and terra sigillata ware (the finest dishware of the time.) As visitors move from room to room, their headsets automatically begin the narration for the corresponding space.
The first eight rooms delve into the worlds of the Jewish rebels, the Romans, and Josephus Flavius, while the final room pays homage to Yadin’s work.
Masada from the east; the new museum is located at the bottom left-center of the photo.
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Visiting next April! Can't wait. Read the Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman to make Masada really come alive.