PLASTER CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK. The Herodian-era fortress, like its corollaries to the west, echoes Roman architectural style. Unlike the marble used at Rome or the limestone at Herodium, plaster decorates the Herodian palace at Machaerus. Despite the different materials, the Herodian palace/fortresses are much the same; the citadels of Machaerus and Masada share many characteristics from mosaic decoration and style to storeroom architecture. Only small chips of plaster survive on the walls at Machaerus.