The Be'er Sheva mosaic, a spectacular 1,600-year-old work of art, was made accessible to the general public for the first time in the Merhavim Regional Council area in the northwestern Negev. After undergoing extensive conservation, the mosaic was inaugurated last Sunday in a ceremony attended by the Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, Merhavim Regional Council Head Shai Hajaj, and Israel Antiquities Authority Director Eli Eskosido.
The inauguration ceremony included participation from students from local schools and the community, who enjoyed a colorful festival of archaeological activities, creative booths, and nature planting. The event marked a moment in preserving and showcasing the region's rich historical heritage.
"This beautiful mosaic, which is a living testimony to settlement in the Negev about 1,500 years ago, will be preserved here and will become a center of visit and learning for tourists, students, and residents from all over the country," said Hajaj. "This is another chapter in the story we are writing here in Merhavim—a story of connection between the past, present, and future."
"This is a unique mosaic from the Byzantine period (324-638 CE). It features 55 medallions rich in detail—mythological figures, baskets of fruit, exotic animals, scenes from daily life, hunting scenes, and more," said Lender from the Israel Antiquities Authority. "The mosaic was made by a master hand; it is composed of small mosaic stones in a variety of colors, and glass and pottery shards were incorporated to provide diversity."
Discovered in 1990 in agricultural areas south of Kibbutz Urim at the site of the ancient ruin of Be'er Sheva, the mosaic originally decorated the floor of a large monastery complex that earned its livelihood from the wine industry. Archaeologists uncovered a large wine press and storage facilities for jugs at the site, indicating that the monastery made its living from wine production.
The site sits along an ancient trade route that connected the desert region of the Negev to the Mediterranean port city of Gaza, which served as a border between the desert and inhabited areas during the Byzantine period. The excavation revealed a large settlement covering several hundred dunams that served travelers needing a safe place to rest, protecting them from attacks by local Bedouin tribes.
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Following its discovery, an archaeological excavation was conducted in the area under the direction of Dan Gazit and Lender from the Israel Antiquities Authority. After the excavation, the Be'er Sheva mosaic was covered to preserve it intact and protect it from deterioration. In recent months, it was preserved by the Israel Antiquities Authority, which undertook conservation efforts to protect it from further damage.
"The event was held as part of the Antiquities Near Home initiative of the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Ministry of Heritage, which seeks to make the assets of the past accessible to the public in the residential area," said Eskosido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority. "The new site will serve as an archaeological garden open to the public. Explanatory signs, an access path, and seating areas have been incorporated, and I invite the public to appreciate one of the beautiful mosaics seen here."
The Be'er Sheva mosaic was re-exposed, and strengthened and is now displayed to the public in the Merhavim Regional Council's headquarters as part of the Antiquities Near Home project of the Ministry of Heritage and the Israel Antiquities Authority. The conservation and transfer of the mosaic were executed in the context of this initiative, aiming to make archaeological treasures accessible to local communities.
Residents and visitors can now experience firsthand a piece of history that reflects the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the region. The mosaic not only represents the artistic achievements of the Byzantine era but also provides insight into the daily lives, economy, and spiritual practices of the people who once inhabited the Negev.
"This is a unique opportunity for the public to connect with our shared heritage," added Eskosido. "We hope that this site will become a focal point for education and tourism, enriching the cultural landscape of the region and fostering a deeper appreciation for the past."