First Israeli Exhibit Set for the Louvre

An Israeli exhibit is set to become the first from the Jewish state to be presented by the Louvre in Paris. The 1,700-year old Lod mosaic, discovered in 1996 and removed from the archaeological site in 2009, will be seen at the museum’s Sphynx Courtyard of its Roman wing through August 19. According to the Israel Antiquities Authority, the mosaic is composed of colorful carpets that depict in detail mammals, birds, fish, flora and the sailing and merchant vessels that were used at that time. It is thought the mosaic floor was part of a villa that belonged to a wealthy person in the Roman period. The mosaic was previously displayed at five American museums including New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.