Historical evidence from the Near East points to a rich reservoir of climate information. For instance, King Herod of Judea built a fortress and two palaces on a lofty plateau called Masada. The high plateau overlooks the Dead Sea from the eastern edge of the Judean Desert. During Herod's time, climbing to the top of the plateau was not easy, so the King thought the high, level land would make an excellent haven during armed revolts. Herod and his would-be defenders had ample storehouses for food and cisterns to collect rainwater; the king's refuge even boasted a bathhouse. Today,...