Ancient Byzantine Mosaic Unearthed in Israel’s Negev Desert Reveals Secrets Lost for 1,600 Years—Now Revealed to the World!
The Ancient Byzantine Mosaic Unearthed In Israel
Israel Antiquities AuthorityIntricate details on the mosaic show off the expert artistry of its creator.
The mosaic dates back to the Byzantine period, between 324 and 638 C.E. It features 55 detailed medallions depicting mythological figures, hunting scenes, exotic animals, fruit baskets, and other scenes from daily life.
Shaike Lender, an archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), said in a statement published by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “The mosaic was clearly made by the hand of a true artist,” as it’s composed of “small mosaic stones in a variety of colors, combined with glass and pottery to infuse it with variety.”
Israel Antiquities AuthorityAnimals are just one of the many themes depicted on the mosaic.
When it was originally unearthed in 1990, the mosaic was within a former monastery complex. Alongside it, archaeologists discovered a winepress and warehouses filled with jugs, suggesting the monastery supported itself financially by making and selling wine.
The site was also located along a trade route, that “served as a kind of border between the desert and the inhabited part of the country,” per the Ministry’s statement.
So, why is this mosaic only just being revealed to the public?
The Be’er Shema Mosaic Goes On Display
Israel Antiquities AuthorityExperts have spent the last several months working to restore the ancient mosaic.
In the decades since the Be’er Shema mosaic was first uncovered, it has started to show signs of damage. Ami Shahar, the head of the Conservation Department at the IAA, stated, “Over the ensuing years since its discovery, the mosaic floor’s state of conservation deteriorated. Given this situation, actions were taken. It was re-exposed, treated and strengthened, and transferred from its original exposed location to the Merhavim Council’s enclosed compound.”
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