The Roman siege system of Masada: A 3D computerized analysis of a conflict landscape

Hai Ashkenazi; Omer Ze'Evi-Berger; Boaz Gross; Guy D. Stiebel

doi:10.1017/S1047759424000084

The Roman siege system of Masada: A 3D computerized analysis of a conflict landscape

Hai Ashkenazi, Omer Ze'Evi-Berger, Boaz Gross, Guy D. Stiebel

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The 1st-c. CE Roman siege system of Masada exhibits a high degree of preservation due to its remote location and the arid climate. However, unlike the thoroughly excavated Masada fortress, the siege system has not received due attention. This article is part of a research project aimed at advancing our understanding of the conflict landscape around Masada using contemporary archaeological methods. Following a comprehensive surface survey and photogrammetric 3D modelling, we show that the circumvallation wall stood to a height of 2-2.5 m and served several functions-as an obstacle, a means of psychological warfare, and a platform from which to mount counterattacks. Based on our measurements and workload estimations, we argue that the construction of the siege wall and the camps around Masada occurred fairly quickly.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	215-240
Number of pages	26
Journal	Journal of Roman Archaeology
Volume	37
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/S1047759424000084
State	Published - 1 Jun 2024
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), 2024.

Keywords

Conflict landscape
Early Roman period
Masada
Photogrammetric 3D modelling
Roman army
Siege warfare

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Classics
Archaeology
Visual Arts and Performing Arts
Archaeology

Access to Document

10.1017/S1047759424000084

Cite this

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abstract = "The 1st-c. CE Roman siege system of Masada exhibits a high degree of preservation due to its remote location and the arid climate. However, unlike the thoroughly excavated Masada fortress, the siege system has not received due attention. This article is part of a research project aimed at advancing our understanding of the conflict landscape around Masada using contemporary archaeological methods. Following a comprehensive surface survey and photogrammetric 3D modelling, we show that the circumvallation wall stood to a height of 2-2.5 m and served several functions-as an obstacle, a means of psychological warfare, and a platform from which to mount counterattacks. Based on our measurements and workload estimations, we argue that the construction of the siege wall and the camps around Masada occurred fairly quickly.",

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The Roman siege system of Masada: A 3D computerized analysis of a conflict landscape

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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