The Shelby White and Leon Levy Lod Mosaic Archaeological Center will display breathtaking 1,700 years old North African mosaics that are considered among the world’s most beautiful.
The Center is set to open its doors, to art and history enthusiasts in August.
An inauguration ceremony was held for the aforementioned center on June 27, in attendance of donor Shelby White, representatives of the Leon Levy Foundation, Lod Mayor Yair Revivo, Israel Antiquities Authority Director-General Eli Eskozido, the Ministry of Tourism and numerous officials.
During the preparation for the center, Lod Mosaic was displayed for years in the world’s most important museums, such as the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Louvre in Paris, the Altes Museum in Berlin, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Columbus Museum of Art, and others.
The Lod Mosaic was accidentally discovered in 1996 by Israel Antiquities archaeologist Miriam Avissar, during an archaeological dig prior to the expansion of HeHalutz Street in Lod, Israel.
The Mosaic is said to be stemmed from the Roman period, namely the end of the 3rd century or the beginning of the 4th century CE.
Due to the lack of funds to preserve and develop the site for display, the mosaic was re-covered at the conclusion of the excavations, in order to protect it from the elements which threatened its state of conservation.
The Antiquities Authority in 2009, through the generosity of the Leon Levy Foundation and Shelby White, acquired funding for its renewed exposure and preservation and returned it to the site as an archaeological center open to the general public.
Peculiar in its quality, construction, contents, and state of preservation, the mosaic once served as the lobby floor of a villa in a wealthy Lod neighborhood from the Roman and Byzantine eras.
It is about 17 meters long, 9 meters wide and comprises colorful surfaces depicting fruits, mammals, birds, fish, flora, and even sailing vessels which are portrayed in great detail.
Its design was influenced by North African mosaics, and it is interesting to note that, unlike other mosaics from that era, it includes no depictions of people.
During the construction of the Mosaic Center, the Antiquities Authority discovered an additional colored mosaic that was part of the mansion’s courtyard. It was also included in the center as part of the visitors’ experience.
The awe-triggering mosaic will be displayed to the public and to Lod residents with the goal of providing visitors access to view and experience the mosaic from various angles.
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