Section of Jaffa-Jerusalem road unearthed in capital

Road was discovered during Israel Antiquities Authority dig in advance of a neighborhood infrastructure project.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Israel Antiquities Authority excavation370 (photo credit: Courtesy IAA)
Israel Antiquities Authority excavation370
(photo credit: Courtesy IAA)
A section of the Jaffa-Jerusalem road from the Roman Period (the second to fourth centuries) was discovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) over the past few weeks in the Beit Hanina neighborhood in Northern Jerusalem. The road was discovered during a dig by the Authority that was being carried out prior to the laying of a drainage pipe for the neighborhood. 
The eight meter wide road was built from large flat stones that were fitted together in order to create a surface that was comfortable for walking, according to the IAA. Some of the stones were highly polished which indicated heavy pedestrian use, the Authority said. 
David Yager, the dig site manager, said that some sections of the road had been excavated in the past but a section "preserved this well within the Jerusalem municipal area has not been discovered."
The Romans built two roads from Jaffa to Jerusalem: One leading from Jaffa through Sha'ar Hagai and the other running farther east through Beit Horon that parallels the current Highway 443. The section of the road excavated is part of the Roman road that ran through Beit Horon the IAA said.