Israeli archaeologists have discovered a paved road near Jerusalem, dating back nearly 1,900 years to the Roman era.

The road was up to 6 meters wide and about 1.5 kilometers long, the Israeli Antiquities Authority said on Tuesday.

The head of the excavation, Irina Zilberbod, said the road was built between the years 130 and 135 AD.

The road "was apparently meant to link the Roman settlement that existed in the vicinity of Beit Natif with the main highway known as the 'Emperor's Road,'" which connected local settlements to Jerusalem, Zilberbod said.

Between the paving stones, researchers found coins dating from the years 67 and 41 AD, among others.

Until 2,000 years ago, most roads were improvised paths. The Romans introduced paved roads not only to help with military deployments but also the transport of agricultural produce.

The ancient road, which was first discovered in February, may eventually be opened to the public.

BEIT SHEMESH, ISRAEL—The Times of Israelreports that Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists discovered a 164-yard section of ancient Roman road during salvage excavations ahead of the installation of a water line about 20 miles west of Jerusalem. The cobbled road is thought to have connected the ancient town of Bethletepha to the highway that stretched from Jerusalem to Eleutheropolis, a city located to the south. Several coins found at the site date to the first century A.D. and suggest that the road could be older than the highway, which is thought to have been built after Emperor Hadrian’s visit to the country around A.D. 130. The road is situated near a cross-country hiking route and will be preserved for visitors.