Last month, a Palestinian farmer was planting a new olive tree when his shovel hit a hard object. It turned out to be an ornate Byzantine-era mosaic that experts say is one of the greatest archaeological treasures ever found in Gaza.
was planting a new olive tree when his shovel hit a hard object. He called his son, and for three months, the pair slowly excavated an ornate Byzantine-era mosaic that experts say is one of the greatest archaeological treasures ever found inThe discovery has set off excitement among archaeologists, and the territory’s Hamas rulers are planning a major announcement in the coming days.
“These are the most beautiful mosaic floors discovered in Gaza, both in terms of the quality of the graphic representation and the complexity of the geometry,” said René Elter, an archaeologist from the French Biblical and Archaeological School of Jerusalem. Elter, who has conducted research in Gaza in the past, has not been able to visit the site but viewed a series of photos and videos taken by local research partners.
Hamas itself pays little attention to preserving the sites as it struggles to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population. More than 2.3 million people are squeezed in the strip’s just 115 square miles. In 2017, Hamas bulldozers destroyed large parts of a site containing remains from a 4,500-year-old Bronze Age settlement to make housing projects for its employees.
While these sites also have mosaics, Elter said the latest discovery, in the central Gaza town of Bureij, is “exceptional.” The patch of land holding the mosaic is about 5,400 square feet and three dug-out spots reveal glimpses of the mosaic.
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