After a $12 million restoration project, one of the largest and most impressive mosaics in the world has been unveiled at Hisham’s Palace in Jericho, Palestine. The massive 8,998 square foot mosaic floor, which dates back to the 8th century AD, features stunning imagery including a scene depicting a lion attacking a deer, symbolizing war, alongside two peaceful gazelles feeding, representing harmony.
The mosaic, which covers the main bathhouse of the Umayyad desert castle, resembles an ornate, detailed carpet. It is composed of over 5 million individual pieces of stone in 21 different colors, including red, blue, and ochre. In total, there are 38 distinct panels showcasing intricate floral and geometric designs, as well as the iconic “tree of life” motif.
Hisham’s Palace, built between 724 and 743 AD by one of the early Muslim caliphates, had remained largely forgotten for centuries until its rediscovery in the 19th century. British archaeologist Robert Hamilton first uncovered the stunning mosaic in the 1930s, but it had been buried under rubble caused by an earthquake that hit Jericho in 947 AD.
Since its rediscovery, Hisham’s Palace has become one of the most important Islamic archaeological sites in Palestine and a major tourist attraction, drawing over 40,000 visitors per year. However, the mosaic itself has remained largely neglected up until recently, with only a canvas and soil covering to protect it from the elements.
Five years ago, the site was closed to the public as a $12 million restoration project, funded by the Japanese government, was undertaken to restore the mosaic to its former glory. After years of painstaking work, the protective covering was briefly removed earlier this year, allowing the public and press to catch a glimpse of the newly revitalized masterpiece.
“This mosaic is an international treasure, not only because of its immense size, but because it is preserved in its original location,” said Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Maa’yah. The mosaic will remain covered until a permanent roof structure is completed next year, at which point it will be opened up for public viewing.
Saleh Tawafsha, the under-secretary at the Palestinian tourism and antiquities ministry, hopes that the restoration of this magnificent mosaic will help draw tourists to the historic city of Jericho, which lies in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Little is still known about the Umayyad dynasty that commissioned Hisham’s Palace, but this newly unveiled mosaic provides a stunning window into the artistic and cultural achievements of this early Islamic empire.
