Nostalgia Sunday – Lod Mosaic

October 18, 2009 - 6:16 PM by · 1 Comment
Filed under: Art, General, History and Culture, Nostalgia Sunday, Travel 

It may be more historic than nostalgic, but the big news in archeology last week here was that the Israel Antiquities Authority made an interesting discovery while detaching a magnificent floor mosaic for transfer to the IAA conservation laboratories in Jerusalem. They found ancient footprints! Apparently, while working on the plaster bedding (done before laying down the mosaic) the artisans trod on it in sandals and in bare feet.

Ancient footprint

The floor is a story in itself. According to the IAA: “The 1,700 year old mosaic, which is one of the largest and most magnificent ever seen in Israel, was exposed in the city of Lod in 1996 and was covered again when no resources could be found for its conservation. Thirteen years after efforts were made to raise the large amount required to treat the unique artifact, the IAA received a contribution from the Leon Levy Foundation that is specifically earmarked for the purpose of conserving and developing the site, in cooperation with the Municipality of Lod. The mosaic was re-excavated, exhibited to the public and is now being removed from the area for treatment in the IAA conservation laboratories.”

“The mosaic, which constitutes a real archaeological gem that is extraordinarily well-preserved, is c. 180 sq m in size. It is composed of colorful carpets that depict in great detail mammals, birds, fish, floral species, and sailing and merchant vessels that were in use at the time. It is believed the mosaic floor was part of a villa that belonged to a wealthy man in the Roman period.”

Hopefully, the floor’s restoration holds the key — along with other innovative social welfare efforts reported on by ISRAEL21c — to turning Lod around from the center of drug-related crime to the tourist haven it ought to be. The IAA stated that, “The municipality, in cooperation with the Israel Antiquities Authority, plans to integrate it into a tourism circuit that will include a number of historic sites in the city.” Given the magnificence of the artifact, there is every chance that the plan could work.

Lod mosaic floor

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ISRAEL21c takes CNN World Report on a trip to Lod

March 15, 2009 - 2:09 PM by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: General, Israeliness, Life, Politics 

With so much of the media focused on the conflict, the ISRAEL21c feature stories airing on CNN — like this one by Molly Livingstone about a multi-ethnic, multi-religious effort to redevelop the city of Lod — are beacons of hope and progress from a place often seen only as a place of conflict.

More ISRAEL21c stories will likely be seen on CNN in the future – meanwhile, there are dozens of others to view and enjoy at the ISRAEL21c YouTube channel.

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