The Lod Mosaic

Wednesday, 12.04.17, 12:00

Tuesday, 25.08.20

Curator:

Dr. Filip Vukosavović

Accessible

More info:

04-8536622
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The Lod Mosaic

A new exhibition at The National Maritime Museum in Haifa offers a wonderful opportunity to see and experience one of the most exciting archaeological discoveries in the world in the recent years.

The first exposure to a rare mosaic found in Lod that deals with the magical world of the sea, along with unique sections of a colorful sinopia, the only ever discovered footprints of mosaic builders, fragments of frescoes that adorned the walls of the Roman villa and a miniature model of one of the mosaic ships built specifically for the exhibition.  

Curator: Dr. Filip Vukosavović

 

A routine archaeological inspection carried out in 1996 in Hahalutz Street in Lod (ancient Lydda) and the subsequent rescue excavations carried by Miriam Avisar on behalf of Israel Antiquities Authority, uncovered one of the largest and most impressive mosaics ever found in Israel. Approximately 160m2 in size, the mosaic is comprised of several panels that depict mammals, birds, fish, sea monsters, merchant ships, and geometric and floral patterns.

The mosaic covered the floors of a large affluent Roman villa and is dated to late 3rd or early 4th century CE (Late Roman Period).  

During the excavations of 1996, the site was open to public for two days only when approximately 20,000 people came to see it.  

However, due to lack of funds for its removal and conservation, the mosaic was covered once more with dirt for its preservation. After a generous donation by the Leon Levy Foundation and Shelby White, the mosaic was uncovered yet again in 2009, removed from situ, conserved and prepared for display.  

During the excavations of 2009, the site was open to public for only one day when approximately 12,000 people visited it.  

In 2010, The Lod Mosaic was displayed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, as the first in a series of exhibits throughout the world that included The Hermitage, The Field Museum, Musée du Louvre and The Altes Museum. More than 1 million visitors have seen the mosaic during this time.  

The National Maritime Museum in Haifa is the first museum in Israel to display any section of The Lod Mosaic. The section that is displayed depicts a maritime scene with two merchant ships typical of the time period and a richness of marine life.  

Aside from the mosaic visitor will have a unique opportunity to see: 

- The only examples of polychrome sinopia ever found. 

Before arranging colored tesserae into desired designs and patterns (tesselatum), the artisans of the Lod mosaic made a polychrome preparatory drawing (sinopia) on the third preparatory layer (nucleus) of the mosaic as a base for their work. Red, yellow, green and black are some of the colors found in the drawing. This is the only polychrome sinopia ever discovered.  

- The only examples of the footprints of the mosaic builders ever found. 

Multiple foot and sandal prints, sizes 34-44, belonging to the builders of the Lod mosaic were discovered on the fourth preparatory layer (rudus) of the mosaic. This discovery is unique for the Lod mosaic. 

- The first public display of fragments of the colorful frescoes that once adorned the walls of the villa. 

Numerous fragments of frescoes that decorated the walls of this opulent Roman villa in Lod were uncovered during excavations of the mosaic floor.  The following colors were found: black, green, red, white, yellow and pink. 

- A model of the ship depicted in the mosaic, commissioned specifically for this exhibit.

This is an incredible opportunity to see and experience one of the most exciting archaeological finds in the world in recent years.

 

Free entree to the exhibitions for children and youth up to the age of 18 during Sukkot  (6-11.10.17)

Entrance for children up to the age of 16 is conditional upon an adult accompanied by a fee! * Children over the age of 16 can enter without an adult * The offer is not valid for groups or student visits * Excludes events and workshops

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