Masada from northwest The summit of Masada sits 190 feet (59
m) above sea level and about 1500 feet (470 m) above the level of the Dead
Sea. The mountain itself is 1950 feet (610 m) long, 650 feet (200 m) wide,
4250 feet (1330 m) in circumference, and encompasses 23 acres. The "Snake
Path" climbs 900 feet (280 m) in elevation. From the west, the difference in
height is 225 feet (70 m).
Masada Storehouses Fifteen long storerooms kept essential provisions for
time of siege. Herod filled with them with food and weapons. Each storeroom
held a different commodity. This was attested by different storage jars and
inscriptions on jars in rooms. Wine bottles sent to Herod from Italy were
1st Century Synagogue This synagogue was found in the first
season of Yadin's excavations. No Second Temple period synagogues were known
at the time. Many coins from the Jewish Revolt were found here. An ostracon
was found on the floor with inscription, "priestly tithe." The back room
served as a genizah.
Herod's Bathhouse Herod had several private bathhouses built at Masada. The
caldarium depicted here had a heavy floor suspended on 200 pillars. Outside
the room a furnace would sent hot air under the floor. When water was placed
on the floor, steam was created. Pipes were built into the walls to help to
heat the room.
Siege Ramp Investigation of tamarisk branches in the Roman
siege ramp result in the conclusion that fifty percent more rain flowed
through the wadis into the Dead Sea when Flavius Silva built the siege ramp.
A recent article suggests that this ramp was mostly natural and only the top
26 feet was added by the Romans.
Siege Camp A solid wall was built surrounding Masada and connected the 8
Roman camps. It was 6 feet thick and 7 miles long and built to prevent
escaping. An estimated 9000 soldiers plus support personnel and slaves
conducted the siege. Szoltan discovered the first Roman siege camps in