An ancient Roman estate complete with its own wine press and bathhouse has been unearthed in Jerusalem.

A series of buildings dating back at least 1,600 years were discovered underneath the city's famous Schneller Orphanage which operated on the site from 1860 until the end of the Second World War, when it was turned into an army base.

The ruins were discovered by archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority who were excavating the site ahead of building new flats for the city's Orthodox Jewish community.

The wine press - at the centre of the complex - had a pressing surface paved with white mosaic tile.

In a pit at the centre of the press there were screws which would have extracted juice from the grapes before storing them in eight cells along the walls.

Archaeologists believe the complex dates back from the late Roman or early Byzantine period in around 400AD.

Some bricks were stamped with the insignia of the Tenth Roman Legion, which was garrisoned in the province from its conquest in 70AD until 300AD, during which time it was called Judea.

Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Show all 12 1 /12 Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Ancient pottery shards found on the site Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem The ruins were found on the site of the famous Schneller Orphanage which operated until the Second World War Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem The archaeologists also found evidence of a Roman bathhouse Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem A brick stamped with the insignia of the Tenth Roman Legion who garrisoned the province Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem An ancient candle holder Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Shards of pottery unearthed from the site Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Archaeologists believe the site to be around 1,600 years old Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Archaeologists also found evidence of an earlier Jewish home on the site Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Jerusalem district archaeologist Amit Re'em said the find showed 'the magic' of the city Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem An ancient Roman estate has been found on the site of the Schneller Orphanage in Jerusalem Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Excavation Director Alex Wiegmann holds up a candle holder used in the Roman period Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Archaeologists found a wine press in the centre of the complex Israel Antiquities Authority

Amit Re'em, the Jerusalem district archaeologist, said: “We found a unique bath house with special ceramic pipes.

“Inside pipes, hot air was flowing to warm up the place where people were taking baths - it's absolutely beautiful."

Alongside the Roman house, archaeologists also found evidence of a second, much older, Jewish home on the site, built during what is known as the Second Temple period - 538BC to 70AD.

Near the Roman bathhouse they found a pit they think could have been used as a ritual bath - known as a Mikye - during that period.

Archaeologists found a wine press in the centre of the complex (Israel Antiquities Authority)

Mr Re’em said: “Everything is evidence that nearly 2,000 years ago the Romans arrived in Jerusalem and after the destruction of the city in 70AD, the soldiers occupied this house and we find archaeological evidence from this period.

“This is the magic of Jerusalem - everything is layers upon layers in once place.”