Palestinians unveil giant restored mosaic near Jericho

Authorities hope artwork at Hisham's Palace will attract tourists

The recently restored mosaic at Hisham's Palace, an early Islamic archaeological site near the West Bank city of Jericho. EPA

It is one of the largest mosaic panels in the world. AFP

The restoration work took many years to complete. AFP

The mosaic opened to the public on October 25. Reuters

A dome was built to protect the site. Reuters

Hisham's Palace is an important early Islamic archaeological site of the Umayyad dynasty from the first half of the 8th century. Reuters

It is often referred to as a desert castle. Reuters

The mosaic covers 836 sq metres. AFP

Visitors roam the site of the 7th century mosaic. AP

The mosaic features numerous images on dozens of panels. They include a lion attacking a deer to symbolise war. AP

Two gazelles symbolise peace. AP

Numerous floral and geometric designs also adorn the site. AP

A general view shows a large mosaic after restoration at Hisham's Palace, an early Islamic archaeological site, in the West Bank city of Jericho, 28 October 2021. The mosaic floor dating back to the Umayyad era contains 38 carpet-like connected panels covering ca. 827 square meters. The multi-year restoration project, done in cooperation between the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at a cost of 12 million USD, includes the construction of a protective roof and exhibition facilities. Hisham's Palace, built in the first half of the 8th century AD, is attributed to the Umayyad Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik. The mosaic was previously buried with sand and insulating materials for many years to protect it from climatic influences. EPA / ATEF SAFADI

Palestinian authorities have unveiled one of the largest ancient mosaics in the Middle East after years of restoration.

Resembling a fine carpet, the mosaic covers 836 square metres at Hisham's Palace, an Ummayad castle dating from the 8th century, near the city of Jericho in the occupied West Bank.

"This mosaic contains more than five million pieces of stone from Palestine which have a natural and distinctive colour," Saleh Tawafsha, undersecretary at the Palestinian tourism and antiquities ministry, said at the unveiling ceremony on Thursday.

He said he hoped the restoration would draw tourists to Jericho.

The palace near the Dead Sea had lain forgotten for centuries until it was rediscovered in the 19th century, and explored in the 1930s. It was then the mosaic was uncovered beneath the dust. But it remained neglected until five years ago, when the site was closed for restoration.

The $18 million project, which included the construction of a large dome to protect the mosaic from the elements, was partly funded by the Japanese government. Tourists can view the mosaic from a new walkway suspended above it.

The project was originally supposed to be completed in 2018 but was delayed, in part because of the challenge of anchoring the dome without disturbing the archaeological remains.

Abdel Raheem Zahran, a local tourist who came with his children on Thursday, said he had been to the site seven years earlier, but it was “not as developed”.

"The dome that they made is great, you don’t have the sun beating down on you,“ he said.

The palace was the winter resort of Caliph Hisham ibn Abd Al Malik, who ruled from 724 to 743 AD. It covers about 60 hectares and comprises baths and an agricultural estate.

The Ummayad dynasty lasted from 660 to 750 AD.