Ancient Roman road littered with coins dropped more than 2,000 years ago is unearthed in Israel
- The road that once linked Roman settlements stretches for one mile (1.5km)
- Coins depicting Pontius Pilate were discovered in between the pavement stones
- The road was discovered after the area was dug up to build a water pipeline
An overhead shot of the ancient Roman road, which is one mile (1.5km) long and 20ft (six metres) wide. It was dug up by archaeologists in Israel
An ancient road that linked the Roman Empire to Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago has been dug up by archaeologists.
The mile-long (1.5km) road was found littered with coins depicting Roman figureheads including the prefect Pontius Pilate, who is infamous for his part in the Crucifixion of Jesus.
Researchers from the Israel Antiquities Authority found the ancient road near the village of Mata after the area was dug up to make way for a water pipeline to Jerusalem.
'The road, which is 20ft (six metres) wide, once linked Roman settlements in Bet Guvrin and Jerusalem to a main highway known as the 'Emperor's Road'.
Irina Zilberbod, an archaeologist who directed the excavation, said: 'The road that we discovered, which 2,000 years ago passed along a route similar to Highway 375 today, was apparently meant to link the Roman settlement that existed in the vicinity of Beit Natif with the main highway known as the "Emperor's Road".
'That road was in fact a main artery that connected the large settlements of Eleutheropolis (Bet Guvrin) and Jerusalem.
Coins depicting Roman figureheads (pictured), including the prefect Pontius Pilate who is infamous for his part in the Crucifixion of Jesus, were found sticking out of the paving stones
The Roman road was found near highway 375 which runs south east of Jerusalem from Giv'at Yesha'ayahu to Bethlehem
EMPEROR HADRIAN
Emperor Hadrian is known for building a mighty fortress across his global empire
Hadrian was born in AD76, near Seville, into a noble family of Roman origin.
An important figure in Roman society, Hadrian was made Emperor when Emperor Trajan died childless in AD117.
The emperor is best known for building walls around his colossal empire, including Hadrian's wall in Carlisle.
He also set permanent borders across the deserts of North Africa, beyond the Aures Mountains, and built a massive wooden palisade driven through the dark forests of Germany.The construction of the Emperor's Road is thought to have taken place at the time of Emperor Hadrian's visit to the country, circa 130 CE [AD], or slightly thereafter, during the suppression of the Bar Kokhba revolt in 132-135 CE [AD].'
The presence of a milestone (a stone marking distances) bearing the name of the emperor Hadrian discovered nearby reinforces the idea that the road was built during the rule of Emperor Hadrian.
The emperor is best known for building walls around his colossal empire, including Hadrian's wall in Carlisle.
Coins from the Roman era were found sticking out between the paving stones of the road.
Among them, a coin depicting the prefect of Judea, Pontius Pilate dating back to 29AD and a coin from Year Two of the Great Jewish Revolt of 67AD were discovered.
Zilberbod said: 'Up until 2,000 years ago most of the roads in the country were actually improvised trails.
'However during the Roman period, as a result of military and other campaigns, the national and international road network started to be developed in an unprecedented manner.
'The Roman government was well aware of the importance of the roads for the proper running of the empire.'
She said that from the main roads, such as the 'Emperor's Road', there were secondary routes that led to the settlements where crops were grown.
The rocky road is believed to be 2,000 years old and built under the instruction of Emperor Hadrian to link up Roman settlements to a main highway called the 'Emperor's Road'
An overhead view of the Roman road, which was found nearby to to Highway 375 (right) near the village of Mata in Israel
'The grain, oil and wine, which constituted the main dietary basis at the time, where transported along the secondary routes from the surroundings villages and then by way of the main roads to the large markets in Israel and even abroad,' she said.
Amit Shadman, the Israel Antiquities Authority district archaeologist for Judah, said: 'The ancient road passed close to the Israel National Trail and we believe that it will spark interest among the hikers.
'The Israel Antiquities Authority and Mei Shemesh Corporation have agreed that the road will be conserved in situ, for the public's benefit.'
Irina Zilberbod, an archaeologist who directed the excavation, pictured, said that the Romans were the first to build stone roads in Israel
(The Mail, UK)
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