EMIL ALADJEM/ISRAEL ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY
Recent excavations near Megiddo exposed the main road and at least one major building at Legio, the site of a Roman military base that housed Rome’s Sixth Ironclad Legion from the second to fourth centuries CE.
In anticipation of new roadwork, salvage excavations were conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority. This work revealed the camp’s main thoroughfare—the Via Pretoria—as well as the foundations of a monumental public building. “Two main roads intersected at the center of the 600-yard-long and 380-yard-wide camp, and its headquarters were erected here,” said Yotam Tepper, director of the IAA excavations. Unfortunately, few of the buildings are preserved to any significant height, since many of their stones were robbed out after the camp was abandoned.
The excavations also yielded a variety of small finds, including coins, pottery, glassware, weapons, and roof tiles—some of which were stamped with LEGVIFERR, an abbreviation of legio VI ferrata, the legion’s name. “The technology and know-how, the building techniques, and the weapons that the legion brought with it from the home country are unique to the Roman army, reflecting specific Roman imperial military footprints,” Tepper said.
Although these salvage excavations were prompted by upcoming construction work, Legio has undergone excavation for nearly a decade under the Jezreel Valley Regional Project. During this time, much of the distinctive character of the site has come to light, including a small amphitheater used for combat and military training.
Recent excavations near Megiddo exposed the main road and at least one major building at Legio, the site of a Roman military base that housed Rome’s Sixth Ironclad Legion from the second to fourth centuries CE. In anticipation of new roadwork, salvage excavations were conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority. This work revealed the camp’s main thoroughfare—the Via Pretoria—as well as the foundations of a monumental public building. “Two main roads intersected at the center of the 600-yard-long and 380-yard-wide camp, and its headquarters were erected here,” said Yotam Tepper, director of the IAA excavations. Unfortunately, few of the buildings […]
