Byzantine-Era Street Uncovered in Jerusalem

Archaeologists say they have unearthed a section of a stone street in Jerusalem that provides new evidence of the city's commercial life in Byzantine times.

The discovery confirms the shape of the city in the 4th-6th centuries provided by a map earlier discovered in a Jordanian Church.

Excavation director Ofer Sion of the Israeli Antiquities Authority said Wednesday the discovery shows the current street follows the "same path as the noisy street from 1,500 years ago."

Archaeologists have uncovered 19 feet (5.8 meters) of the pathway, which lies 14 feet (4.3 meters) below street level and once they complete restoration work, the segment will be covered because of the heavy pedestrian traffic in the area.