Israel's national museum has said that it will open what it calls the world's first exhibition devoted to the architectural legacy of biblical King Herod, the Jewish proxy monarch who ruled Jerusalem and the Holy Land under Roman occupation two millennia ago.
The display includes the reconstructed tomb and sarcophagus of one of antiquity's most notable and despised figures, curators say on Tuesday. Modern day politics are intruding into this ancient find.
Palestinians object to the showing of artifacts found in the West Bank. The Israeli museum insists it will return the finds once the exhibit closes. About 30 tons of artifacts including hundreds of tiny shattered shards pieced back together are going on display at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem in a nine-month exhibition opening 12 February.
Museum director James Snyder said the exhibit, ‘Herod the Great,’ is the museum's largest and most expensive archaeological project to date.
The display includes the reconstructed tomb and sarcophagus of one of antiquity's most notable and despised figures, curators say on Tuesday. Modern day politics are intruding into this ancient find.
Palestinians object to the showing of artifacts found in the West Bank. The Israeli museum insists it will return the finds once the exhibit closes. About 30 tons of artifacts including hundreds of tiny shattered shards pieced back together are going on display at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem in a nine-month exhibition opening 12 February.
Museum director James Snyder said the exhibit, ‘Herod the Great,’ is the museum's largest and most expensive archaeological project to date.