The Lod mosaic was discovered in 1996. It was extremely well preserved, despite its age. It was in near perfect condition.
It is believed to be part of a large Roman villa from the Byzantine era. Made up of several panels, it is 17 meters long and 9 meters wide (approximately 180 square meters).
It is made up of colorful animals including elephants, lions, birds, fish, and crustaceans. Beside the fauna, there are also depictions of various flora, ships, and geometric patterns.
How and where was it discovered?
The Lod Mosaic was discovered in Lod, Israel, about 9 miles southeast of Tel Aviv. It was uncovered when they were digging up dirt to make a street wider and bigger.
Where was the Lod Mosaic to be transported to? How long did it to take to transport it? …show more content…
It was moved in 2009. Lod Mosaic traveled the world and was displayed in several museums including, The Louvre in Paris, The Hermitage in St Petersburg, and the MET in NY.
Why are there only animals and no human figures?
Illustrations of animals, mythical and real, were common and very popular during the time of the Lod Mosaic. Because it was believed to have been in a Roman villa, this would explain the nature of the subjects. Scholars suggested that the lack of human figures throughout the mosaic might have been a Jewish society influence. Lod was in antiquity as a center of Jewish scholarship, and even though not universal, human representations were commonly banned by some Orthodox communities. It's also possible that the owner of the villa really liked animals.
What is the history of the area where the mosaic was found?
The Lod mosaic date to the late 3rd century-early 4th century period in the Roman