One of the Largest Ancient Mosaics in the World Depicting a Lion Attacking a Deer Unveiled at Jericho’s Hisham Palace After Multi-year Restoration

One of the largest mosaic panels in the world has been unveiled following a multi-year restoration project at Hisham’s Palace in the West Bank city of Jericho on October 28, 2021. (Photo by ABBAS MOMANI / AFP)

Palestinian authorities on Thursday unveiled one of the largest floor mosaics in the world, in the West Bank city of Jericho, after years of restoration.

Resembling a fine carpet, the vast, ancient mosaic covers 836 square meters (8,998 square feet) at the Hisham Palace, an Islamic desert castle dating from the eighth century. The palace and its stone mosaic, with intricate geometric patterns, were built during the reign of the Umayyads, the first hereditary Muslim dynasty, which ruled from Damascus. The palace was the winter resort of Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik, who ruled from 724 to 743 CE.

The images, seen on dozens of panels, include a lion attacking a deer to symbolize war and two gazelles which symbolize peace, as well as delicate floral and geometric designs

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SOURCE: The Jerusalem Post, AFP