A government committee in Jordan is facing a difficult question. How can it save the country’s ancient past while planning for its future? The committee, set up two weeks ago, is considering the issue after the discovery of ancient Roman baths. The ruins were found during a dig for a building project, an underground canal that will help control flood water that comes into Amman, Jordan’s capital. The ruins have the remains of furnaces, a sign of a complex heating system. Experts believe that the discovery is the first of its kind among the remains of the ancient city of Philadelphia on which Amman now stands. Yazid Elayan is head of Jordan’s Department of Antiquities. “We will balance the needs of the city - to protect it from flooding - to preserving antiquities under the streets,” he said. “Amman was one of the biggest Roman cities and it has one of the largest baths. Wherever one excavates in Amman, antiquities can be found,” he told Reuters.

What does excavate mean?
to flee
dangerous
to dig and remove soil
a withdrawal of troops
Why is it not surprising to find Roman antiquities in Amman, Jordan?
it is a mystery
Amman is now located in Italy
all the archeologists in Amman are Italian
it was once one of the biggest Roman cities
This article described ruins found during a dig in Amman, Jordan.
Amman, Jordan
Istanbul, Turkey
Rome, Italy
Jerusalem, Israel