Masada Northern Palace Lower Terrace
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇮🇱 South, Masada, Israel
About
About Masada Northern Palace Lower Terrace
Masada Northern Palace Lower Terrace in South, Masada, Israel is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 31.3110N 35.3640E controls access to South resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for South, Masada, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1967 survey
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Masada Northern Palace Lower Terrace main structure
c. 1947
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1962–2007
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Masada Northern Palace Lower Terrace) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
31.3110° N · 35.3640° E · 409 m · 3 mapped features
Masada Northern Palace Lower Terrace — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
31.3118° N · 35.3649° EMasada Northern Palace Lower Terrace — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
31.3100° N · 35.3633° EMasada Northern Palace Lower Terrace — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
31.3125° N · 35.3652° E