The Roman VIth Legion Ferrata at Legio (el-Lajjun), Israel: Preliminary Report of the 2013 Excavation

Historical evidence and archaeological surveys conducted over several decades in the Legio-Megiddo region in the Jezreel Valley, Israel, have pointed to the long-term presence of the Roman VIth Ferrata Legion at the site of el-Manach Hill. In 2013, the Jezreel Valley Regional Project (JVRP) conducted excavations on the northern side of the site. Architectural remains indicative of a Roman castra were uncovered, and finds confirm the presence of Legio VI Ferrata. Current evidence confirms dates for the site as a military base from the early 2nd century CE to its final abandonment by late 3rd to early 4th century CE.