One of the largest archaeological projects ever undertaken in Israel has exposed the ancient entrance to Caesarea. Among the discoveries are the base of an altar built in honor of the Emperor Augustus and the goddess Roma.

The project to excavate and rebuild ancient Caesarea's entrance complex leading from the harbor to the city, apparently built by King Herod over 2,000 years ago, was revealed in a press conference Wednesday.

Open gallery view The head part of a figurine from the Roman period depicting the Asclepius, god of medicine, discovered during the renovation of the ancient harbour of Caesarea, April 26, 2017. Credit: Rami Shllush

Open gallery view Artifacts, discovered during the renovation of the ancient harbour of Caesarea, on display during a press conference on display during a press conference, on April 26, 2017 Credit: JACK GUEZ/AFP

Open gallery view A small tablet engraved with a seven-branched menorah, discovered during the renovation of the ancient harbour of Caesarea, April 26, 2017. Credit: JACK GUEZ/AFP

The Jewish-Roman historian Flavius Josephus wrote of a temple atop a hill above the harbor. The temple, devoted to the emperor Augustus and the goddess Roma, did not survive the ages. As with many sacred compounds elsewhere, a Byzantine church was built on the same grounds, then another temple and finally, a Crusader church. But recent excavations found the base of a large altar that stood close to the entrance.

“Josephus relates how the Romans who conquered Jerusalem planted their banners [the flags of the victorious legions] across from the gate, followed by offering a sacrifice. This could be a similar arrangement,” says Dr. Peter Gandelman, who heads the dig along with archaeologist Mohammed Khater.

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In his book “Wars of the Jews," Josephus waxes prolix on the wonders of the Caesarea temple: “On a hilltop across from the entrance to the harbor was Caesar’s temple, prominent in its size and beauty. It contained a gigantic statue of Augustus which was no less magnificent than the statue of Zeus in Olympia, on which it was modeled. There was also a statue of Roma, equal in beauty to the statue of Hera in Argos,” he wrote.

Open gallery view A worker cleans a mosaic floor during renovations at the ancient harbour of Caesarea on April 26, 2017. Credit: JACK GUEZ/AFP

Beneath the level on which the altar stands, archaeologists discovered two large halls, open to the sea, as well as a series of small arches beneath a large staircase leading to the altar. The stairway and other structures are similar to the architecture around the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which was also designed by Herod.

“There is no doubt that Jerusalem and Caesarea were the leading cities. Herod’s megalomaniac spirit hovers over Caesarea,” says Dorn Ben-Ami, head of the Antiquities Authority’s central Israel division.

The project includes excavating and preservating the entire compound, and rebuilding the ancient edifices. The project is expected to cost more than 100 hundred million shekels ($27.5 million), making it one of the most expensive archaeological explorations in the country. Funding comes from the Edmond de Rothschild Foundation and the Caesarea Development Corporation.

Open gallery view Artifacts, discovered during the renovation of the ancient harbour of Caesarea, on display during a press conference in Caesarea, April 26, 2017. Credit: JACK GUEZ/AFP

Open gallery view A bas-relief of the head of Medusa is seen on top of a sarcophagus displayed at the old city of Caesarea, April 26, 2017. Credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS

Open gallery view Artifacts, discovered during the renovation of the ancient harbour of Caesarea, on display during a press conference in Caesarea, April 26, 2017. Credit: JACK GUEZ/AFP

Several smaller findings were made in the course of this excavation. One interesting one was a Jewish artifact, found a few weeks ago next to the pagan altar. This was a small tablet made from mother-of-pearl, with a seven-branched candelabra etched in, as well as a ritual coal shovel, such as ones used in the Temple in Jerusalem.

A statue of a ram, associated with the Byzantine-era church, was also found nearby, as well as a fragment of a statue of a bearded man, identified by Dr Rivka Gersht as Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine. Several statues of this god have been found in Caesarea, but this was the first time his head has been found.

The project is handled by by the Edmond de Rothschild Foundation, Caesarea Development Corporation, Antiquities Authority and the Nature and Parks Authority.

Open gallery view part of ancient synagogue, discovered during the renovation of the ancient harbour of Caesarea, being displayed during a press conference in Caesarea, April 26, 2017. Credit: JACK GUEZ/AFP