Archaeological discovery yields ancient Roman road

In February, a stretch of an ancient Roman road was unearthed roughly 20 miles west of Jerusalem.

Workers with the Israel Antiquities Authority discovered the passageway while doing excavations in advance of a water pipeline installation, report the Jerusalem Post.

The roadway extends for about 495 feet and measures just under 20 feet across.

Irina Zilberbod, one of the archaeologists, noted that the road, "...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.'"

She further commented, "...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."

A while back, a marker bearing the name of the Roman Emperor Hadrian was discovered in an area not far from the road.

As such, it is believed the recently uncovered road was built around 130 CE, a time marked by the emperor traveling to the area and the suppression of the Bar Kochba revolt, notes Haaretz.com.

An intention to preserve the ancient passageway has been announced.