The Lod Mosaics: From Luxurious Roman Mansion to Catalyst for Urban and Social Change
Abstract
The long process has by no means been simple and the difficulties have been numerous, starting with the chronic lack of funds to finance such a project, the initial resistance and distrust of the inhabitants of the neighborhood and the countless logistical, archaeological, and political impediments.
The article summarizes the archaeological findings at the mosaic, and also focuses on the process that went through the modest neighborhood that houses it, from the initial opposition and disbelief of the inhabitants towards the authorities to the recognition of the value of the antiquities. The article also reviews the approach to conservation, the philosophy behind the planning of the museum and the hope for integration into the community framework, to create a sense of belonging and local pride. Beyond its outstanding archaeological, artistic, and scientific value, the Lod mosaic, which began its life in the fourth century CE as part of an elitist and wealthy mansion, can today fulfil an important function as a catalyst for social change and improvement.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Archaeology
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Amir Gorzalczany
This is me
0000-0001-6910-6776
Israel
Ram Shoeff
This is me
0000-0002-8126-7932
Israel
Publication Date
November 9, 2022
Submission Date
November 6, 2021
Acceptance Date
September 2, 2022
Published in Issue
Year 2022 Number: 15