The extraordinarily beautiful 1,700 year old mosaic floor, which is one of the most magnificent and largest mosaics ever revealed in Israel, was first uncovered in the city of Lod in 1996. The mosaic is a real archaeological gem and amazingly well-preserved. It covers an area of approximately 180 square meters and is composed of colored carpets that depict in detail mammals, birds, fish, 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.
It was discovered by construction workers widening Ha-Halutz Street, and archaeologist Miriam Avissar of the Israel Antiquities Authorities was immediately called to the site. When the mosaic was uncovered, the authorities opened it to the public during a single weekend over the course of which 30,000 people traveled to Lod to see it. It was then covered while funding was sought to conserve the mosaic.
Unusually for a mosaic floor of this age, the mosaic is in near-perfect condition. The exception is damage to one of the two ships depicted, done when an Ottoman-era cesspit was dug into the mosaic.
