The ruins of an ancient Jewish ritual bath have been found near Rome – the oldest such discovery outside of the biblical region of Israel and the surrounding area.

Archaeologists excavating Ostia Antica, the ancient port city of Rome, have unearthed what is now considered the oldest Jewish ritual bath (mikvah) outside the Middle East. Dating back over 1,500 years,

Located in Ostia Antica, the mikvah dates to the late fourth or early fifth century C.E. Researchers say it's the earliest discovery of its kind outside the Middle East

As they worked, the team uncovered a smaller rectangular room with a wide set of steps leading down to a well. Archaeologists identified it as an ancient Jewish ritual bath, known as a mikveh, dating back at least 1,400 years.