Palestinian Farmer Discovers 'The Most Stunning Mosaic' in Gaza
The
mosaic, dating from between the 5th-7th centuries A.D., was discovered
by a local farmer planting an olive tree. The significant discovery
raises questions about preservation efforts inside the Palestinian
enclave Animal depiction on a Byzantine-era mosaic floor that was uncovered recently by a Palestinian farmer in Bureij in the Gaza Strip, earlier this month. Credit: Fatima Shbair/ AP
Ofer AderetSep 16, 2022
The
Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in the Gaza Strip announced on
Friday "a major archeological finding"—the discovery of a stunning
Byzantine mosaic. Hamas says it will issue an official statement
providing additional details in the next few days.
The
mosaic floor, dating from between the 5th-7th centuries, was discovered
a few months ago inside the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza,
approximately 1km from the Israeli border.
Earlier
today, the Associated Press shared photos of the site and reported that
a local farmer uncovered the mosaic whilst planting an olive tree, when
his spade hit a hard surface. The farmer and his son started digging.
Three months later, they uncovered the mosaic.
Archeologists
claim that this is one of the most significant findings ever discovered
in the Gaza Strip. "These are the most stunning mosaic floors ever
discovered in Gaza, in terms of the richness of the graphic
representation and the complexity of the geometric layout. We have never
seen a mosaic boasting such rich colors in Gaza before", says Rene
Elter from the French School of Biblical and Archeological research in
Jerusalem.
According
to the photos, the mosaic features animal depictions, and appears to be
well-preserved. A little damage is visible in some areas, caused by
roots of olive trees planted at the site in previous years. The farmer
who dug up the mosaic covered it with a large sheet and refuses to be
identified before the official unveiling. In a chat with the Associated
Press, he expressed his hope for some financial reward for his
discovery.
The discovery of this archeological treasure brings to the fore the difficult and complex status of cultural heritage and preservation efforts in
the Gaza Strip. A situation resulting from the continual conflict with
Israel, and not helped by Hamas' own neglect of preservation efforts in
some cases. Archeological artifacts in Gaza—one of the most densely
populated areas in the world—are at risk due to budgetary
considerations, development issues and a lack of sufficient local
expertise and awareness. In addition, the occasional looting of artifacts by locals hardly helps the situation, and the destruction of sites is at times deliberately encouraged by the authorities.
In
2017. Hamas operatives completely destroyed significant portions of
remains of the 4,500-year-old Bronze Age city of Tel Es-Sakan, to make
way for new construction projects. As far as Israel is concerned, it
also confiscated a large amount of artifacts from Gaza, during the years
of its direct rule. One of the most prominent culprits was former
Defense Minister and military chief Moshe Dayan. - Advertisment -Remaining Time -8:05×
The
Gaza Strip was once a thriving and important crossroads and trade
route, connecting the Levant with Africa and Asia. As a result, it has
accumulated significant archeological treasures over the course of the
last 5,000 years: from the Bronze age and times of the Caliphate,
through to the Ottoman Empire and the days of British mandate in the
20th century.
Last
June, a large ancient Roman necropolis (a burial site) was discovered
in Gaza, dating from the 1st-2nd centuries AD. It was discovered by
tractors in Jabalia, in northern Gaza, whilst digging foundations for
concrete structures as part of a reconstruction project.
In
1999, the Saint Hilarion Monastery was discovered about ten kilometers
south of Gaza city. The monastery is part of a sprawling 4.5 acres
structure, built atop the alleged birthplace of Saint Hilarion, a
Christian saint who lived in the area in the 4th century, considered to
be a founding father of cenobism in the holy land. The website dedicated
to the site features images of walls and foundations of two churches, a
cemetery, bath houses, a baptism chamber and mosaic floors.
In 1996, another 5th century Byzantine church was discovered in Jabalia.
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