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The Shelby White and Leon Levy Lod Mosaic Archaeological Center
Thirteen years ago one of the most beautiful mosaics ever seen in the country was discovered in Lod, but was covered over because of the lack of a budget. The Israel Antiquities Authority, in cooperation with the Municipality of Lod and with funding provided by the Leon Levy Foundation and the Jerome Levy Foundation, is currently carrying out conservation work on the mosaic and preparing it for presentation to the public.
The mosaic floor, which is one of the most magnificent and impressive ever discovered in Israel, was exposed in 1996. The mosaic is of exceptional beauty and quality and covers an area of 180 square meters; it is extraordinarily well-preserved and dates to the Roman period (end of the third century and beginning of the fourth century CE). The mosaic is composed of polychrome carpets that depict mammals, birds, fish, flora and sailing and merchant ships that were in use at that time.
After completely exposing the mosaic, it will be removed from the site and transferred to the conservation laboratory of the Israel Antiquities Authority in Jerusalem. The conservation process will take many months during which a section of the mosaic will be sent on exhibit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. During this time the planning work will be done and a visitor center will be constructed. Afterwards the mosaic will be returned to its original place and the site will be opened to the public as part of an overall program to turn Lod into a center of tourism.
The Mosaic Preservation Works are held from Sunday till Thursday, from 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM local time
Pictures from the visit of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Minister of Culture and Sports Mrs. Limor Livnat
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