The Be’er Shema Mosaic is now open to the public for the first time at the Merhavim Regional Council complex in northwestern Negev, Israel, reported the Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.
The 1,600-year-old mosaic intricately details scenes of hunting, exotic animals, mythological figures, fruit, and daily life within 55 medallions. Archaeologists have theorized that it was created by a master craftsman due to the small size of the stones, the variety of color, and incorporation of glass and pottery.
Though the mosaic dates back to the Byzantine period (324–638 CE), it was unearthed during a 1990 excavation of agricultural areas nearby Kibbutz Urim, situated in the Roman and Byzantine administrative center and fortified village Horbat Be’er Shema. The town was known for its location along an ancient trade route connecting the desert region to Gaza, which was a Mediterranean port city at the time.
The mosaic was discovered within a monastery. A large wine press and warehouses filled with jars were also found, indicating that the monastic order may have made a living producing and selling wine. Further excavations were completed under Dan Gazit and Shayka Lander from the Israel Antiquities Authority, before the piece was covered for preservation.
“Over the years, the mosaic floor’s state of preservation has deteriorated. Against this background, it was rediscovered, treated and strengthened, and moved from its original location to the council compound in Merhavim,” Ami Shahar, head of the Conservation Department at the Israel Antiquities Authority, said in a statement. “Now, it is protected from agricultural and development work, and is finally being displayed to the public.”
On Saturday, the inaugural ceremony featured local students, as well as the Minister of Heritage MK Amichai Eliyahu and the head of the Merhavim Regional Council Shai Hajj. It has been made accessible as part of the “Antiquities Near Home” project, co-organized by the Ministry of Heritage and the Israel Antiquities Authority.