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theHandpuppet

(19,964 posts)
Thu Apr 3, 2014, 08:08 AM Apr 2014

Byzantine mosaic from 596 AD uncovered in Negev (Israel)

http://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-1.583279
from: Haaretz
Byzantine mosaic from 596 AD uncovered in Negev
Previously unknown monastery floor features unique features.
By Shirly Seidler
Apr. 2, 2014

An impressive Byzantine period mosaic from the sixth century has been discovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority near the Bedouin village of Hura in the Negev. The mosaic floors were done in rare colors, shedding light on Byzantine life in southern Israel. The monastery measured 35x30 meters and included four rooms, including a prayer room and a refectory. Each room had a different design.

The excavations started a month ago, following road works in the area. The area was a designated archeological site, but the Antiquities Authority was unaware of what it contained.

Each room carries inscriptions denoting the completion of each floor, as well as a dedication to the head of the monastery. For example, one room is dedicated to Illario, with the floor completed in 596 AD.

Most of the mosaic themes are commonly found, but several are unique. The prayer room floor has a clover leaf design in blue and red, associated with the Christian faith, but there are also green and yellow stones, which are less common. This probably results from the proximity of such stones, which may have come from the Judean desert. They are not found in other Byzantine ruins in Israel. Each room has well-preserved deep niches, supposedly meant to collect dirt and water used in washing the floors....
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Byzantine mosaic from 596 AD uncovered in Negev (Israel) (Original Post) theHandpuppet Apr 2014 OP
Byzantine monastery with mosaic floor found in Israel Judi Lynn Apr 2014 #1

Judi Lynn

(160,211 posts)
1. Byzantine monastery with mosaic floor found in Israel
Thu Apr 10, 2014, 05:01 AM
Apr 2014

Byzantine monastery with mosaic floor found in Israel

Posted by TANN ArchaeoHeritage, Archaeology, Breakingnews, Greater Middle East, Israel, Near East 6:00 PM

An impressive monastery dating to the Byzantine period was discovered at the entrance to Hura in the northern Negev during the course of an IAA salvage excavation for the purpose of building an interchange on Highway 31, at the initiative of the Netivei Israel Company. The structure, measuring 20 × 35 meters, is divided into halls built along an east–west axis, the most outstanding of which are the prayer hall and dining room due to the breathtaking mosaic carpets revealed in them.


[font size=1]
View of Byzantine mosaic floor that decorated a monastery and that was discovered during infrastructure work in the Israeli Bedouin village of Hura in the Northern part of the Negev desert Credit: Assaf Peretz/Israel Antiquities Authority [/font]


The prayer hall is paved with a mosaic on which a pattern of leaves is vibrantly portrayed in blue, red, yellow and green colors. The dining room floor is a colorful mosaic pavement depicting floral motifs, geometric decorations, amphorae, baskets and even a pair of birds.

According to Daniel Varga, excavation director on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, “It seems that this monastery, located near the Byzantine settlement of Horbat Hur, is one monastery in a series of monasteries situated alongside a road that linked Transjordan with the Be’er Sheva‘ Valley”.

More:
http://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2014/04/byzantine-monastery-with-mosaic-floor.html#.U0Zc02ePKP8

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