Gaza farmer unearths Byzantine-era mosaic

An ornate Byzantine floor mosaic showing a variety of colorful birds and other animals was discovered by chance in Gaza after a Palestinian farmer tried to plant new trees on his land.

Salman al-Nabahin unearthed the relic six months ago while working in his olive orchard in the Bureij refugee camp, about a kilometer from the Israeli border.

Trying to figure out why some trees didn’t take root properly, Nabahin said he and his son started digging. Then the son’s ax hit something hard and strange looking.

“I looked it up on the internet… We found it to be a mosaic belonging to the Byzantine era,” said the father of seven, sitting next to his find. “I see it as a treasure, more expensive than a treasure. It is not personal, it belongs to every Palestinian.”

The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said the floor includes several mosaic panels depicting animals and other features of social life during the Byzantine era. “The archaeological discovery is still in its early stages and we hope to learn more about the secrets and values ​​of civilization,” the ministry said in a statement.

“National research teams are working in partnership with international experts and scientists from the French School of Archaeology.”

Gaza is rich in antiquities, having been an important trading point for civilizations dating back to the ancient Egyptians and Philistines described in the Bible, to the Roman Empire and the Crusades.

Several discoveries have been made in recent years. But due to a lack of funds and relevant professionals, Gaza often invites international groups to help with the excavation and preservation process.