Roman ruins discovered in downtown Amman

Jordan discovers Roman ruins in the heart of its capital

Location: Amman, Jordan

Construction of a major sewer project

has recently stumbled upon ancient Roman baths

This has posed a dilemma for the city

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ANTIQUITIES, YAZID ALAYAN SAYING:"Amman was among the biggest Roman cities, therefore its public bath will be among the biggest Roman baths. Unfortunately we found the lower part which is designed for heating and that prompted the department of antiquities to stop the work on the installation of a water drainage system so that we can examine the pieces that were found."

A government committee now has to decide

whether to expand excavations

or go ahead with the drainage works

Amman is built on layers of ancient civilizations

including the Ammonites, Moabites, Romans, Greeks

and Islamic period