Horbat Ha-Gardi ('Tomb of the Maccabees')
The monumental structure near Modi'in long claimed as the Maccabees' family tomb, re-excavated in 2015
Found 1866 — Identified by Victor Guérin (1866–70) and excavated by Charles Clermont-Ganneau (1871); trial excavation by Amit Re'em (Israel Antiquities Authority, 2011); renewed IAA excavation with volunteers in 2015 (Re'em and Dan Shachar)
Where Horbat Ha-Gardi, near Modi'in (Israel)
Dates from Tomb described c. 140 BCE; surviving structure possibly 5th century CE · Hasmonean to Byzantine · Simon's monument for his family at Modein (1 Maccabees 13)
Now at In situ near Modi'in, Israel
How Horbat Ha-Gardi ('Tomb of the Maccabees') was found
A monumental ashlar building with vaulted burial cells near the Arab village of el-Midya (ancient Modi'in). Clermont-Ganneau found a mosaic with a cross, suggesting Christian reuse; the 2015 dig re-exposed the structure and searched beneath for a Hasmonean core.
What it is
A large rectangular building of well-cut stone with seven vaulted chambers, later robbed, set on a hill facing west toward the coastal plain. 1 Maccabees describes Simon's monument at Modein as seven pyramids on a high base with columns and carved ships, visible from the sea.
Why it matters for the Bible
1 Maccabees 13 says Simon built a grand tomb for his parents and brothers at Modein, and Josephus and Eusebius say it still stood in their day. Horbat Ha-Gardi is the leading candidate, but the 2015 excavation found no clear Hasmonean-period burials, and the visible building seems to be a Byzantine memorial, perhaps built by Christians over the remembered spot. The site shows both how the Maccabees were honored for centuries and how careful archaeology must separate memory from proof.
The Hebrew word: KEH-ver
קֶבֶר
קֶבֶר is pronounced KEH-ver and means tomb, grave (Strong's H6913).
People this discovery connects to
- Mattathias — מַתִּתְיָהוּ (mah-tit-YAH-hoo) — gift of YHVH
- Simon Maccabeus — שִׁמְעוֹן (shim-ONE) — heard
Places
- Modein — מוֹדִיעִין (mo-dee-EEN) — uncertain
Events
Mattathias's revolt at Modein, 167 BCE · Simon's building of the family monument, c. 143 BCE
Horbat Ha-Gardi ('Tomb of the Maccabees') in Scripture
1 Maccabees 13:27-30 Simon's seven-pyramid monument at Modein with columns and carved ships; the site is the leading candidate for it.
1 Maccabees 2:1 Mattathias settles at Modein, where the revolt began and where his family was buried.
1 Maccabees 2:70 Mattathias is buried 'in the tomb of his ancestors at Modein'.
Questions people ask
What is Horbat Ha-Gardi ('Tomb of the Maccabees')?
A large rectangular building of well-cut stone with seven vaulted chambers, later robbed, set on a hill facing west toward the coastal plain. 1 Maccabees describes Simon's monument at Modein as seven pyramids on a high base with columns and carved ships, visible from the sea.
When was Horbat Ha-Gardi ('Tomb of the Maccabees') discovered?
It was found in 1866 by Identified by Victor Guérin (1866–70) and excavated by Charles Clermont-Ganneau (1871); trial excavation by Amit Re'em (Israel Antiquities Authority, 2011); renewed IAA excavation with volunteers in 2015 (Re'em and Dan Shachar), at Horbat Ha-Gardi, near Modi'in.
Where is Horbat Ha-Gardi ('Tomb of the Maccabees') today?
In situ near Modi'in, Israel.
Which Bible verses does Horbat Ha-Gardi ('Tomb of the Maccabees') relate to?
1 Maccabees 13:27-30, 1 Maccabees 2:1, 1 Maccabees 2:70.
Is Horbat Ha-Gardi ('Tomb of the Maccabees') authentic?
No excavated evidence yet ties the structure to the Hasmonean period; most archaeologists now see it as a Byzantine memorial built over the traditional site.
Related discoveries
- מְצוּדָהThe Seleucid Akra (Givati Parking Lot)Fortification and Seleucid weapons in the City of David identified as the Akra of 1 Maccabees
- חֶבֶר הַיְּהוּדִיםHasmonean Coins of John Hyrcanus and Alexander JannaeusThe bronze prutot of the Maccabean priest-kings, with 'Yehohanan the High Priest' and Jannaeus's anchor and star
- מְעָרָהThe 'Cave of Elijah' at Jabal al-LawzA rock-cut chamber claimed as the cave of 1 Kings 19
- נֶפֶשׁJason's TombA Hasmonean family tomb in Rehavia with a Doric porch, ship graffiti and a lament for Jason
- כֹּהֲנִיםTomb of the Bene Hezir Priestly InscriptionA Hasmonean-era rock tomb in the Kidron naming a family of priests from the biblical course of Hezir
- אוֹצָרHeliodorus SteleSeleucus IV's order that put Heliodorus over the temples of Judea, the man of 2 Maccabees 3
Sources
- Israel Antiquities Authority press release, September 2015, on the Horbat Ha-Gardi excavation
- Wikipedia: Tomb of the Maccabees
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