Archaeologists have uncovered ancient Roman and Greek roads in the modern city of Thessaloniki, the location of the biblical city, Thessalonica. While excavating for a new subway system through the city, a 230 foot section of marble paving stones were unearthed, which archaeologists estimate to be around 1800 years old. Below this road, they discovered another road built by the ancient Greeks dating back another 500 years. These roads were part of the city's main artery. The Huggington Post reports,
The excavation site was shown to the public on Monday, when details of the permanent display project were also announced. Several of the large marble paving stones were etched with children's board games, while others were marked by horse-drawn cart wheels.Also discovered at the site were remains of tools and lamps, as well as the bases of marble columns.
Viki Tzanakouli, an archaeologist working on the project, told The Associated Press the Roman road was about 1,800 years old, while remains of an older road built by the ancient Greeks 500 years earlier were found underneath it.
"We have found roads on top of each other, revealing the city's history over the centuries," Tzanakouli said.
"The ancient road, and side roads perpendicular to it appear to closely follow modern roads in the city today."
It is possible that Paul traveled on the ancient Grecian built road as he entered Thessalonica:
"Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews."
The city of Thessalonica sat at the intersection of two major Roman roads, one of which connected to the Ignatian Way that led eastward out of Rome. The ancient Roman and Greek roads recently discovered in Thessaloniki may have been a section of this main artery leading to Rome. Unfortunately, the ancient city of Thessalonica is buried beneath the modern city, making excavation difficult. The development of the subway system has given opportunity to archaeologist to make some significant discoveries. [google-map-v3 width="640" height="480" zoom="8" maptype="terrain" mapalign="center" directionhint="false" language="default" poweredby="false" maptypecontrol="true" pancontrol="true" zoomcontrol="true" scalecontrol="true" streetviewcontrol="true" scrollwheelcontrol="false" draggable="true" tiltfourtyfive="false" addmarkermashupbubble="false" addmarkermashupbubble="false" addmarkerlist="40.64522,22.944946{}1-default.png{}Thessaloniki, Greece" bubbleautopan="true" showbike="false" showtraffic="false" showpanoramio="false"]