Archeologists Uncover 1,800-Year-Old ‘Iron Legion’ Roman Military Base—Largest Ever Found in Israel

Courtesy of Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority

The “extensive and impressive” remnants of an ancient Roman military base, dated 1,800 years old, are being uncovered along an important stretch of brand new highway about 20 miles southeast of the tiered coastal city of Haifa, the third largest city in Israel. A legionary camp of this scale, which once housed thousands of soldiers, has never been found in Israel before and stands to make a splash in the Roman archeological arena.

With government infrastructure planners and archeologists working hand in hand, the ongoing roadwork steadily plugs along. Netivei Israel (the National Roads Company of Israel) continues working on the interchange at the junction of Road 66 and Road 65 in northern Israel, while the omnipresent excavations being overseen by the Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA) strive to preserve ancient history hidden beneath the sand.

What’s known as a “tel” in Israel, a large, artificial mound formed by successive settlements built one atop the other, overlooks the newly found Roman legion encampment and a large expanse of the Jezreel Valley. Atop the tel, just a few skips northwest from the new archeological site, the Iron Age city of Megiddo, fittingly dubbed “Armageddon” in Greek, still lays in ruins after being razed by the Egyptians around the turn of the 7^th century B.C.

An archeological excavation of a Roman military base in the Jezreel Valley, near the ancient ruins of Megiddo. Courtesy of Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority

A map of northern Israel, showing the Roman legionary base near the ancient city ruins of Megiddo, near Haifa. Courtesy of Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority; Arigato/Shutterstock and Screenshot/Google map

Tel Megiddo. (Joe Freeman/CC BY-SA 2.5 DEED; Golf Bravo/CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED; Ian Scott/CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED; Hanay/CC BY 3.0 DEED)

Detail of the Roman military base structures. Courtesy of Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority

Researchers working on the excavation at Megiddo. Courtesy of Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority

An archeologist clearing away dirt to expose the ancient Roman military base. Courtesy of Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority

Just across Road 66 from the tel, at its feet, researchers from IAA mingle among several large, open, arched tents that partially shade their relatively new excavation site set amid dry, dormant wheat fields. They work to brush away sand and dirt from a more or less level plot paved with ancient, hand-carved stone.

As highway traffic bustles by them, Yotam Tepper, excavation director for IAA, and his team focus their attention on understanding how an ancient Roman military presence, the first of this scale ever excavated in Israel, once lived. The Roman force occupied this region from about 117–120 to 300 A.D., according to an IAA press release.

Consisting of a main road, a semi-circular podium, and paved stone areas, this once was a large monumental public building where, they believe, some 5,000 or 6,000 Roman legionaries were stationed. They were the VI^th “Ferrata” Iron Legion.

An aerial view of the paved stone compound. Courtesy of Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority

Archeologists brush clean the ancient stone pavement. Courtesy of Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority

The Roman military base dates back to around 1,800 years ago. Courtesy of Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority

“Whilst Roman military camps are known in Israel, they are temporary siege camps, or small camps belonging to auxiliary divisions,” Mr. Tepper said in a statement. “None compares with the entire complex of the legionary base, as has been uncovered in the archaeological excavations ... next to the Megiddo Junction.”

In their endless quest for antiquities, Mr. Tepper and his team made their big discovery of a Roman military base not by accident. Working jointly with Matthew J. Adams, of the Jezreel Valley Research Project, the researchers surveyed the expansive wheat fields around Megiddo using cutting-edge ground-penetrating radar to detect the presence of stone ruins underground.

“The ancient building remains were not preserved to a height, as most of the building stones were removed over the years for reuse in building projects carried out during the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods,” Mr. Tepper said.

Archaeologist Mr. Yotam Tepper, director of the excavation for the IAA. Courtesy of Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority

Roof tiles found during the excavation Courtesy of Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority

An archeologist labeling roof tiles found in the excavation Courtesy of Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority

The Roman military base at Megiddo. Courtesy of Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority

The one clear sign that there were any structures overlaying the area can be found scattered all throughout the compound, even now that the building walls are no more. Roof tiles, broken and strewn about, were found in extremely large quantities, some of which were even found marked with the Legion VI’s stamp. There were also pieces of pottery and glass, coins, and even some bits of broken weaponry.

The technology, know-how, and military weapons—all bearing signs of Roman contrivance—are reflected in the footprint that the Roman Imperial military had in the region, according to Mr. Tepper. Such an architectural assemblage is sure to offer new insights into what life was like for those Roman soldiers once stationed here.

It’s also good for the local region and tourism, according to Eli Escusido, director of the IAA. Already recognized as a World Heritage site with one of the earliest Christian prayer halls in the world, Megiddo’s ability to attract visitors stands only to gain from having Israel’s one and only excavated Roman military base right across the road.

Share your stories with us at [email protected], and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter