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Archaeology

MASADA AND PETRA

Herod's Palace-Fortress

Herod built Masada between 37 and 31 BC as a refuge in case of revolt. The complex included a three-tiered hanging palace on the northern cliff, massive storehouses, cisterns capable of holding millions of gallons of water, bathhouses, and a synagogue — one of the oldest ever discovered.

A model of Herod the Great's palace at Masada — A model of Herod the Great's palace.

View from the top of Masada toward the Dead Sea with Israeli flag — View from the top of Masada toward the Dead Sea.

Two Roman camps visible below Masada in the Judean Desert — Two Roman camps below the mountain.

The Roman siege ramp at Masada used to take the fortress in 73 AD — The Roman siege ramp used to take the fortress in 73 A.D.

The lower palace of Herod the Great at Masada, cliffside terraces overlooking the Dead Sea — The lower palace of Herod the Great.

A Roman helmet found in Hebron, Israel, displayed in a museum — A Roman helmet found in Hebron Israel.

The Herodian fortifications on the mountain at Masada with stone walls and watchtower — The Herodian fortifications on the mountain.

Herodian-era bathtub with colorful fresco plaster still on the walls at Masada — Bathtub with plaster still on the walls.

Herod the Great's bedroom at Masada with original Roman columns still standing — Herod the Great's bedroom.

Herodian fortifications at Masada overlooking the Dead Sea — Fortifications overlooking the Dead Sea.

Rain falling on the Dead Sea with mountains in the background — Rain falling on the Dead Sea.

Mountain goats that live near Masada in the Judean Desert — Mountain goats that live near Masada.

Amman Jordan and Petra

Sunrise over Amman, Jordan with golden sky and city skyline — Sunrise over Amman.

Tourists walking through the Siq canyon passage into Petra with the Treasury visible at the end — The way into Petra.

Tourists walking through the narrow Siq canyon with Petra's Treasury visible at the end framed by towering sandstone walls — The Treasury at Petra.

Close-up view of Petra's Treasury facade carved into rose-red sandstone cliffs in Jordan — The Treasury facade, Petra.

Decorated camels resting in front of the Treasury at Petra with tourists and handlers nearby — Camel Rides for tourists.

Crowds of tourists gathered in front of the Treasury at Petra, carved into the rose-red sandstone cliffs of Jordan — The Treasury at Petra.

Ancient Nabataean tombs carved into the rose-red sandstone cliffs at Petra, Jordan — Tombs at Petra.

Carved Nabataean tomb facade at Petra with a colorful souvenir and jewelry market in front — Marketplace at Petra.

Rows of ancient Nabataean tomb doorways carved into towering rose-red sandstone cliffs at Petra, Jordan — Cliff tombs at Petra.

A lone figure climbing ancient stone steps at Petra with the sun glowing behind towering rose-red sandstone cliffs — Sunset over Petra.