Israeli authorities on Monday dedicated a new museum near Tel Aviv to a magnificent Roman-era mosaic, which is returning to its original location after years of touring the world’s top museums.
Measuring about 17 by 9 meters (55 by 30 ft), the mosaic with vibrant colors that have stood the test of time features roaring lions, fighting elephants, giraffes and dolphins, as well as fruit, flowers in baskets and sailing ships.
It was discovered in 1996 in downtown Lod and is believed to have been the floor of a late third to early fourth century mansion.
According to an archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority, the mosaic is not only “the most luxurious we have here in Israel from this period,” but also “unique in its form and character.”
“It shows that artists who did this type of work in Carthage and Sicily traveled around the Roman world” and were commissioned for private homes, Hagit Torge said.
The mosaic was disassembled and displayed in leading museums in the United States and Europe for about a decade while the Lod Mosaic Archaeological Center was being built. The mosaic is scheduled to be presented to the public in Israel this summer.
Lod was known as Diospolis in ancient times and served as the district capital. Today it is located near Ben Gurion International Airport.
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