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Discovery and Context
Description
Mosaics in the Roman World
Mosaics as an Art Form
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Conservation
The Lod Mosaic Center
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Discovery of the mosaic

The mosaic was first excavated in 1996 by Miriam Avissar of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Image: Israeli archaeologist Miriam AvissarMiriam Avissar -1996

Conservation in–situ of the mosaic

Immediately after the discovery of the mosaic a conservation team from the Conservation Department of the Israel Antiquities Authority monitored the progress of the excavations and provided expertise and in-situ conservation treatment of the mosaic.

Image: Conservation in situ Conservation in-situ 1996

At this stage, the following was accomplished:
- Documentation of the mosaic including rectified photography, graphic documentation, 1:1 documentation, condition report, and conservation plan
- Cleaning of the mosaic
- Consolidation of the edges and lacunae using lime mortars
- Grouting of detached areas and voids
- Re-laying of loose tesserae

Image: Documenting the mosaic Documenting the mosaic 1:1 - 1996
Image: Applying of poultice for cleaning Applying of poultice for cleaning - 1996

Reburial of the mosaic

The mosaic was reburied in 1996 using the following system:
- Two layers of white geo textile fabric (stitch bonded, 400g/m2) on the mosaic surface, in between a layer of plastic mesh (1x1cm openings)
- The geo textile was covered with 10cm layer crushed basalt stone (residues from the stone quarry of Beit Alpha).
- The final layer (1.5m) was done with soil and debris from the excavations of the site.
- All the site was covered with a pile (2m high) of soil and debris to prevent theft and soil removal from the reburial.

Image: Reburial of the mosaic Reburial of the mosaic 1996
Image: The site after the reburial The site after the reburial 1996

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