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A detail of an ancient mosaic that was discovered in the town of Lod, Israel, near Tel Aviv. (enevieve Long/The Epoch Times)
LOD, Israel—An archaeological treasure from Israel will make its maiden journey for display to New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art in March. The Lod Mosaic, as it is dubbed, is an extraordinarily rich and detailed mosaic that was discovered 13 years ago in the city of Lod in central Israel.
It has been undergoing excavation and is now being prepared for transport to labs where it will be cleaned and restored. The work’s next stop after that will be New York City.
“In our land, this mosaic is unique,” said Jacques Neguer of the Israel Antiquities Authority to the press during an open viewing of the piece. “It’s extremely rich composition.”
Neguer will be responsible for overseeing the detachment and transfer of the mosaic, which dates to the late-third or early-fourth century. Paneled sections of the artwork will then be cleaned, restored, and sent by cargo plane to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The mosaic is 180 square meters (215 square yards) and is composed of colored carpets that depict in detail mammals, birds, fish, hunting scenes, a variety of flora, and the sailing and merchant ships that were used at the time. The purpose of the building in which the mosaic floor was placed is not known. The creator of the artwork is unknown, but according to Neguer, whoever created it had a high level of skill.
“The master [who created the mosaic] was very high-level,” said Mr. Neguer, adding that the art is Roman. “The team who did the mosaic was very skilled.”
Archaeologist Miriam Avissar, who directed the excavation of the ancient mosaic in Lod on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority. (Genevieve Long/The Epoch Times)
The Lod Mosaic was originally discovered by archaeologist Miriam Avissar on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority in 1996, when a street in the area was being widened. At the time, about 30,000 people from around the country visited the site during one weekend when the display was open to the public.
“The mosaic is in marvelous condition,” said Ms. Avissar as she stood by the masterpiece in Lod last week. “None of the stones fell out, [but] what’s interesting is what’s here and what is not here.” A small center portion of part of the enormous mosaic is missing. Avissar speculates it could have been something like a water pitcher.
While the Lod Mosaic spends two years at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a visitor’s center will be built at the site in Israel to permanently intern the artwork.
“It’s a marvelous place to build a visitor’s center,” said Ms. Avissar.
