Long-buried Roman theater discovered in Jerusalem

Archaeologists have discovered an ancient Roman theatre near to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the Independent reported.

The 200-seat arena was discovered eight metres underground, along with a large section of the Western Wall that had been buried underground for 1,700 years.

The discovery was made under Wilson’s Arch in Jerusalem’s ancient Old City. Researchers from the Israel Antiquity Authority have been excavating the site for the last two years.

During the time of the Second Temple, which was destroyed in 70 BC, Wilson’s Arch was part of a raised walkway used by worshippers entering and exiting the holy site. Below it was a road containing shops and water drainage systems. The area was covered around 360 BC when earthquake damage led residents to fill the arch with debris to prevent it collapsing.

The theatre is the first rediscovered example of a Roman public building in Jerusalem Reuters

Archaeologists said the round, classical Roman-style theatre was a significant find.

“The discovery of the theatre-like structure is a real drama,” said Dr Joe Uziel, one of the excavators. "From a research perspective, this is a sensational find. The discovery was a real surprise: we did not imagine that a window would open for us onto the mystery of Jerusalem’s lost theatre.

“Like much of archaeological research, the expectation is that a certain thing will be found, but at the end of the process other findings – surprising and thought-provoking – are unearthed.”