Archaeological excavations carried out this past month of the planned construction of the Shelby White and Leon Levy Lod Mosaic Center in central Israel, designed to showcase the stunning mosaics unearthed in the city in recent years, have exposed yet another mosaic that dates back approximately 1,700 years.
The latest mosaic find was uncovered at a dig near the northeast entrance to Lod that has been in operation on and off since 1996, when work on a new road in the vicinity unearthed a mosaic that had belonged to a grand Roman-era villa. The villa's mosaic floor turned out to be one of the loveliest ever discovered in Israel and was preserved in unusually good condition.
The mosaics unearthed in the Lod villa depict both realistic and imaginary animals, complex geometric designs and marine scenes. The variety of colors, their quality and the exceptional state of preservation led to local and worldwide interest.
The central panel of the mosaic has been featured in special exhibitions in museums such as the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Louvre in Paris, and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.
Dr. Amir Gorzalczany, who is directing the excavations at the site of the future visitors center said, "The excavations at the site exposed a villa that included a large luxurious mosaic-paved reception room triclinium, and an internal columned courtyard, also with mosaics, and a water system. We found evidence for Mediterranean luxury that characterized the Roman Empire, including attributes such as fresco wall paintings."
Gorzalczany explained that the mosaic resembled one discovered on the slopes of Mount Zion in Jerusalem, although it lacked the human figures that appeared in the Mount Zion mosaic.
"It is quite probable that the same artist produced both the mosaics or that two artists worked from a similar design. This type of mosaic is better known in the Western part of the Roman Empire," he said.
Yisrael Hasson, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, said, "After 20 years of the IAA's perseverance, we have succeeded in reaching a worthy and committed cooperation with the Lod Municipality. I am happy that the citizens of Israel and worldwide will be able to appreciate the cultural heritage that has waited patiently for world recognition, and will now receive the honor it deserves."
