| Herod's Family Tomb | |
| Map Dot Label: | Herod's Family Tomb |
| Location: | Near Old City of Jerusalem |
| Builder: | Herod the Great |
| Built: | 1st century BCE |
| Material: | Stone, Herodian-type ashlars |
| Condition: | Preserved |
| Public Access: | Yes |
Herod's family tomb, with or without upper-case initials, can refer to several sites identified at different times as the burial structures of the immediate relatives of Herod the Great, one of them probably being the famed king's own tomb.
See also Rock-cut tombs in ancient Israel: Second Temple period: Jerusalem
The name "Herod's Family Tomb" has long been used for a 1st-century BCE rock-cut funerary complex of excellent workmanship located near King David Hotel in Jerusalem.[1] The cruciform, 5-chamber tomb is built of perfectly cut and joined Herodian-type ashlars and was found to still contain two in situ decorated sarcophagi, all dated to the first century BCE.[1]
A round funerary complex discovered near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem has also been considered as the burial tower of Herod's relatives.[1] It is known as the opus reticulatum monument, and is mentioned twice by Josephus (War 5.108, 507), as "Herod's monuments" and as "Herod's monument", respectively.[2]
The 2007 discovery by Ehud Netzer of the remains of an elaborate mausoleum at the Herodium fortress and administrative centre, along with the remains of three finely worked stone sarcophagi, has convinced most specialists that Herod's own tomb has been finally discovered, along with those of two close relatives.[3]