[COMMUNICATED CONTENT]

Jerusalem is reviving its proud history! Archaeological artifacts more than 1,600�years old were discovered in Jerusalem while constructing a residential complex�� a real estate development which aims to synthesize historical preservation�with modern building.�M. Sharp

The Legendary Schneller compound, located in the heart of Jerusalem,�provokes nostalgia among residents of Geulah and Meah Shearim, due to its rich�history. It has housed, among other things, the famed Schneller Orphanage and a�longstanding I.D.F. base. Six years ago, the Rother-Highgates group acquired this�historic location, with the intent of turning the Schneller compound into a�neighborhood of luxury residences for the Charedi community � Merom�Yerushalayim.

The Schneller complex�s fascinating history stretches back to Jerusalem�s�earliest recorded days. In 1860, the Schneller orphanage was established, one of�the first structures to be built outside the old city walls. The orphanage catered to�children of a various nationalities and it employed mostly German teachers. With�the advent of World War Two, the British Mandate deported the German�teachers, closed down the orphanage and turned the compound into a massive�military camp. In 1948 the British withdrew from the camp, abandoning it to the�Etzioni brigade of the Hagana. The camp eventually served as a base for the Israeli

Defense Forces until 2008, when the historic army base was disbanded.�But apparently, the Scheller Compound�s history begins much earlier than�the 19th century. As construction of the Merom Yerushalayim project advanced,�reaching 600 residential units, the Israeli antiquities authority conducted�archeological excavations at the site � discovering astonishing artifacts from more�than 1600 years ago.

During the archaeological digs in this area, numerous and varied pieces of�Jerusalem�s past were discovered, most notably a large and impressive winepress�from the Roman or Byzantine eras. Archaeologists believe that the presses served�the residents of large manor houses whose inhabitants made their living, in part,�from wine production.

Near the winepresses, evidence of ancient bathhouses was unearthed, in�the form of ceramic pipes used for heating water, and clay bricks – some of which�bear a stamp with the name of the tenth Roman legion. This legion was one of�four Roman legions who participated in the conquest of Jewish Jerusalem. His�units remained in the city until roughly 300 AD.

One of this Roman legion�s main manufacturing centers of pottery and�bricks was located in the area where Binyanei Hauma currently stands. The�present-day excavation at the Schneller compound is a mere 800 meters from�Binyanei Hauma, lending further authenticity to the finds.

The recent archeological dig is actually a continuation of �rescue�excavations� which were conducted at the site six months ago, when evidence of�Jewish settlement during the Second Temple era was discovered.

According to Alex Wigman, appointed director of the excavation by the�Israel antiquities authority, �Turn over any stone in Jerusalem and you will find�ancient relics related to its glorious past.� Says Wigman, �the archaeological finds�paint a picture of a vibrant, active Jerusalem, from ancient times through modern�times.�

According to the words of Jerusalem district archaeologist Amit Reem; �This�is an excellent example of the cooperation and the deep, close ties that the�(archaeological community) has with the charedi community. The public is used�to hearing about the struggles between archaeologists and charedim around the�issue of (the desecration of) graves. They�re not aware of the daily interactions we�have (with charedim), or the interest expressed by the charedi sector regarding�this topic.�

Of course, The �Merom Yerushalayim� complex, being built atop this area,�aims to preserve the historic character of the site. According to the developers,�the significance of the land being developed adds flavor and meaning to this�momentous project.