With support from the University of Richmond

History News Network puts current events into historical perspective. Subscribe to our newsletter for new perspectives on the ways history continues to resonate in the present. Explore our archive of thousands of original op-eds and curated stories from around the web. Join us to learn more about the past, now.

Herod's tomb claims life of man who discovered it

EHUD Netzer, one of Israel's best-known archaeologists, who unearthed King Herod's tomb near Bethlehem three years ago, has died after being injured in a fall at the site. He was 76.

Netzer was leaning on a wooden safety rail when it gave way, sending him tumbling six metres. He was taken to Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem with critical injuries and died there three days later.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described his death as ''a loss for his family, for scholars of Israel's history and for archaeology''.

Netzer, who born in Jerusalem, was professor emeritus of archaeology at Hebrew University and led high-profile digs across the country. He had helped educate several generations of Israeli archaeologists....
Read entire article at The Age (AU)