Shaking Up History: A New Discovery About Masada

Masada. The isolated cliff by the Dead Sea. It's a story that fascinates many, a symbol of Jewish defiance and struggle against Roman conquest. For generations, Masada served as the last stronghold to withstand the Romans, deeply embedded in Jewish history.

But is this legendary narrative accurate? A groundbreaking study led by Dr. Guy Stiebel questions a key aspect of the Masada myth: the duration of the Roman siege.

Using advanced technologies, Dr. Stiebel and his colleagues discovered surprising new details about the Roman siege. Their findings were astonishing, demonstrating that the siege lasted only a few weeks, contrary to the years-long tale told by Josephus.

So, how do we reconcile the historical accounts with archaeological evidence? These are just a few of the mysteries unfolding. Dr. Stiebel's study sheds light on the fluidity of history, dynamically reshaped by new evidence and methods.

A close-up of a tower in the siege wall (Photo: Masada Excavation Team Neuschister, Tel Aviv University)

Segment of the siege wall with a tower (Photo: Masada Excavation Team Neuschister, Tel Aviv University)

Stairs leading to the siege wall (Photo: Masada Excavation Team Neuschister, Tel Aviv University)

A Myth Shattered

"It all began with the desire to ask fresh questions about a well-known site," explains Dr. Stiebel. "We employed advanced technology, like drones and 3D modeling, to critically reassess the Roman siege system. The surprising outcome revealed a rapid construction pace of Roman camps, indicating a much shorter siege than previously believed."

When Dr. Stiebel says "we succeeded," he includes his partners – Dr. Chai Ashkenazi, Dr. Boaz Gross, and Omar Zeevi, who collaborated with him on this fascinating research.

"We joined the study in 2017 and renewed excavations at Masada for Tel Aviv University," he continues. "While extensively researched since the 19th century, today's technology allows new questions and insights about the events that transpired there."

Dr. Stiebel adds: "For years, the myth endured of a three-year Roman siege on Masada. Some researchers recently began to challenge this, for various reasons. We aimed to objectively test this through innovative tools that offer precise measurements."

Researchers used remote-sensing technology, drones, and aerial photography to gather detailed data on all siege structures –height, width, and depth – with millimeter accuracy. These data constructed a 3D computer model that calculated the total construction volume and duration."

How can this be calculated?

"Here's an example - there are reliable estimates of the stones and earth a Roman soldier could move per day during construction. About 6,000 to 8,000 Roman soldiers participated in the Masada siege. We objectively calculated the time invested in building the entire siege system – eight camps and a stone wall surrounding much of the site. We found the construction took less than two weeks, and based on ancient sources, the assault and capture took only a few weeks longer. Thus, we conclude the siege lasted only a few weeks."

The Start of a New Chapter

Your findings challenge the prevailing historical narrative. How do you explain the discrepancy between your findings and Josephus’ account?

"Remember, Josephus was a historian but also part politician," replies Stiebel. "It's likely his siege account was meant to inspire future generations, so he dramatized the events. Our research, grounded in measurable facts, offers a more accurate picture of what happened at Masada."

What does this discovery mean for our understanding of the Great Revolt and Jewish history?

"This is a groundbreaking discovery, shedding new light on a pivotal event in Jewish history. It shows us the Romans’ efficiency in swiftly quelling the revolt. More than that, it raises intriguing questions about the role of myths in history and how we choose to remember the past."

What are the next steps in your research?

"We plan to continue digging and analyzing finds at Masada, aiming to better understand life at the fortress during the revolt. Additionally, we intend to conduct comparative studies with other Roman sites to gain deeper insights into Roman siege tactics."

Dr. Stiebel concludes: "The narrative of Masada, the revolt, the siege, and the tragic end has long been part of Israeli DNA and known worldwide. Our findings suggest the Roman siege lasted only a few weeks. As with empires, the Romans came, saw, and conquered, swiftly suppressing the rebellion at this isolated site. However, our conclusions do not diminish the historical event's significance, and we still grapple with essential questions, like why the Romans invested so much effort in capturing a seemingly negligible site. There's much more to explore, and we are far from finishing our work."

Are your conclusions now definitive, or might future researchers challenge them?

"I envy those who can speak with certainty because the only certain thing is our mortality. I don’t think anyone can guarantee their conclusions are infallible, nor can I, even though our research is robust. Someone else might one day challenge my findings and prove otherwise. It's important to stress that research, even if it seems to dismantle long-held myths, doesn’t negate previous work. It adds layers, and over the coming years, other layers will emerge. This happens constantly, and there's no need to fear it, as such research represents the beginning of a new journey, not its end."