Lower Herodium referes to the extensive settlement area situated, on the north-west foothills, at the base of the artificial hill that constitutes the Upper Herodium complex. This lower tier encompasses residential quarters, administrative buildings, agricultural installations, and various public structures that supported the functioning of the royal estate constructed by King Herod the Great in the late first century BCE.
From 1972, excavations were carried out by Ehud Netzer, working on behalf of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and they were intermittent until the archaeologist's death in 2010. Netzer excavated mostly the lower palace, at the base of the hill.
The area features remains of streets, fortifications, cisterns, and industrial facilities such as workshops and storage spaces, reflecting its role as a self-sustaining urban settlement that complemented the elite functions of the palace above. Archaeological evidence indicates a planned layout integrating economic, military, and domestic activities, which collectively ensured the security and sustainability of the Herodium complex. Lower Herodium’s infrastructure, including an elaborate water management system and defensive walls, demonstrates Herod’s broader strategy of territorial control and administrative organization within his kingdom. This part of the site thus functioned as both a logistical hub and a community supporting the royal presence at the summit, representing the interaction between elite and everyday life in the Herodian period.
circa 20 BCE
Large Pool
The pool with its small circular island in the middle is most impressive and prominent feature in the wilderness. The remains of the colonnaded garden are clear. A few remains of the water channel have been found on the way from Jerusalem to Herodion. The artificial island at the pool's center is thought to have sported 3 floors: a nice place to enjoy the breeze and eat a bite, or just relax.
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The Madain Project is an online archive of Abrahamic History and Archaeology.
Abrahamic History & Archaeology is the study of history and archaeology with respect to the three Abrahamic Faiths without considering the religious and theological aspects. The goal of Abrahamic History is to understand how and why the religious doctrines and behaviours have evlovled and changed over time. Searching for patterns in the evolution of significant cultural events such as the development of farming, the emergence of cities, or the collapse of major civilizations for clues of why and how these have influenced the three major Abrahamic religions.
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