A team of archaeologists has unearthed a previously unknown Roman road in the Golan Heights, specifically in the southern region between Gaulanitis and Hippos.

The team, composed of Adam Pažout, Michael Eisenberg, and Mechael Osband, has documented that this road is one of the best-preserved sections of Roman roads in the region.

Using a combination of historical, cartographic, and archaeological methodologies, the researchers were able to outline the exact route, date its construction and abandonment, and analyze its geospatial relationship with the landscape and surrounding settlements.

The Roman road system in Galilee and southern Syria; the roads under study are marked with a dashed line.
The Roman road system in Galilee and southern Syria; the roads under study are marked with a dashed line. Credit: I. Ben-Ezra / A. Pazout

The study relied on various innovative techniques: the researchers collected and analyzed modern and historical data related to the road system in the study area, as well as archaeological information about the road and related facilities.

They also used GIS-based mobility models to identify the road routes from the Lawiye spur to the Sea of Galilee and assess the expected movement patterns in the region, as well as predictive analyses to determine the positions of watchtowers along the road, providing a comprehensive view of the Roman security and communication network.

The road crosses the Golan Heights from east to west and consists of two main branches (R1 and R2). The western section, which has not been preserved, was suggested based on the location of milestones. The researchers were able to accurately describe the segments of the road and the construction techniques used.

An example of a) typical spine and b) curb; c) remains of R2; note the field walls covering the curbs on the left.
An example of a) typical spine and b) curb; c) remains of R2; note the field walls covering the curbs on the left. Credit: A. Pazout

Branch R1 appears on the Lawiye spur between two modern orchards and follows a straight path before veering south and then north again, continuing until it bifurcates near Jurniyye. It extends east, possibly connecting with a road that goes from Damascus southward.

Branch R2 follows a straight path southeast, passing through several key points before crossing the Ruqqad River and likely joining the same road from Damascus.

The research suggests that the road was built in the second half of the 2nd century AD and was in use until the early 3rd century AD. This chronology was based on the analysis of construction materials and the dating of associated structures such as watchtowers and mile stations.

Field systems that seem to align with the road around Jurniyye (map courtesy of the Survey of Israel); b) one of the field walls around Jurniyye aligned with the road curbs and superimposed on them.
Field systems that seem to align with the road around Jurniyye (map courtesy of the Survey of Israel); b) one of the field walls around Jurniyye aligned with the road curbs and superimposed on them. Credit: A. Pazout

The primary function of this road, like many in the Roman Empire, was related to military transport and security. The watchtowers along the way ensured the protection of travelers and goods, facilitated the connection between military installations and supply centers, and served as communication nodes for the state postal service.

This discovery is significant for several reasons: it provides a deeper understanding of the Roman road network and its extent in the Golan Heights region. It illustrates how the Romans maintained control over remote territories through a well-planned infrastructure that included roads and watchtowers. It also provides evidence of the interconnection of settlements in the region and their relationship with the road, which has implications for the study of settlement patterns and urban development in antiquity.

The research team plans to continue with additional studies that include more extensive excavations and detailed analyses of the materials found. Furthermore, it is expected that this discovery will promote new research on other possible Roman road routes in the region, as well as on the structure and organization of Roman settlements.


Sources

Pažout, A., Eisenberg, M., & Osband, M. (2024). Between Gaulanitis and Hippos: The Roman Road in the Southern Golan Heights in Context. Tel Aviv, 51(1), 95–117. doi.org/10.1080/03344355.2024.2327802


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