Roman-era mosaic back in Israel as centrepiece of new museum / Photo: MENAHEM KAHANA - AFP
-
Alonso committed to Aston Martin, but keeping options open
-
Hospitals raise alert as heatwave slams Europe
-
Events cancelled, records loom as heatwave reaches Germany
-
'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center shuts in US: official
-
Czech striker Schick ends international career
-
Tennis great Evert says 'relentless' cancer has returned
-
US says wants deal with Iran, but not 'at any price'
-
Colombian president-elect gives armed groups one month to surrender
-
US Supreme Court hands win to Bayer in weedkiller litigation
-
New Zealand's Latham and Conway pile on the runs before Stokes breakthrough
-
Apple raises prices for MacBooks and iPads, as costs soar over AI
-
Dominant Osaka sails into Bad Homburg semis
-
UK suffers as heat breaks new June record
-
US Supreme Court says asylum seekers can be turned away before border
-
Binance to suspend crypto services in several EU countries
-
Olivia Wilde looks at evolving relationships in 'The Invite'
-
Hamilton reveals neck injury that hampered debut year with Ferrari
-
Rows, drones and 'sorry' Son as South Korea await World Cup fate
-
Noosha Aubel and Dietmar Woidke: How Potsdam Is Letting Down a Young Child with Profound Disabilities
-
Antonelli welcomes Mercedes upgrade as Russell says beware Hamilton
-
Greek families receive keepsakes of Holocaust victims
-
Antonelli welcomes Mercedes upgrade ast Russell says beware Hamilton
-
Easyjet rejects latest takeover bid but leaves door ajar
-
HRW denounces Turkey arrests ahead of NATO summit
-
Macron hosts Meloni for Riviera talks after Trump rift
-
Alonso committed to Aston Martin, but is keeping options open
-
US Supreme Court paves way for mass deportation of Haitians, Syrians
-
Venezuelans trapped alive after twin quakes kill at least 164
-
South Africa vows firm response to anti-migrant violence
-
New Zealand make England toil as Stokes returns for series decider
-
Poland, Ukraine hold key Gdansk conference without Zelensky
-
Americans impacted by climate change demand answers from lawmakers
-
Massive police deployment blocks Kenya protest anniversary
-
Heat-struck Italians cool off in ancient stone 'trulli'
-
Court orders TotalEnergies to account for clients' emissions
-
French teaching unions call strike over 'unacceptable' heat
-
Stocks rally on renewed AI optimism, oil price declines
-
US Fed's preferred inflation gauge hits fresh three-year high
-
Venezuela twin quakes kill at least 164 with many trapped under rubble
-
Dominant Osaka cruises into Bad Homburg semis
-
IOC votes to continue ski mountaineering for 2030 Games
-
New Zealand frustrate England as Stokes returns for series decider
-
Stocks rally on AI optimism after Micron's blowout forecast
-
Poland, Ukraine tone down dispute at reconstruction conference
-
Tunisia's short-lived World Cup experience lays bare deep dysfunctions
-
At-risk UK elderly bid to stay cool as heatwave bears down
-
'Everything collapsed': Venezuela region hit hardest by quakes cries for help
-
'Need each other': Macron hosts Meloni after Trump rift
-
Kenya police turn out in force on protest anniversary
-
Stokes straight back into the action as New Zealand bat in 3rd Test
Roman-era mosaic back in Israel as centrepiece of new museum
Israeli authorities on Monday dedicated a new museum near Tel Aviv to a magnificent Roman-era mosaic returning to its original home after years of touring the world's top museums.
The mosaic, with vibrant colours that have survived the passage of time, measures around 17 by nine metres (55 by 30 feet), depicting roaring lions, elephants in battle, giraffes and dolphins, as well as fruits, flowers in baskets, and sailing vessels.
It was discovered in the central city of Lod in 1996 and believed to have been the floor of a mansion dating back to the late third-early fourth century.
According to an Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist, the mosaic is not only "the most luxurious one that we have here in Israel from that period", but also "unique in its form and character".
"It shows that artists who did this kind of work in Carthage and in Sicily travelled around the Roman world" and were commissioned for private homes, said Hagit Torge.
The mosaic was disassembled and for around a decade displayed at leading museums in the United States and Europe, while the Lod Mosaic Archaeological Center was being built. The mosaic is to go on show to the public in Israel this summer.
Lod was known as Diospolis in ancient times and served as a district capital. Today it is located near Ben Gurion international airport.
R.Lee--AT
