Miriam Avissar said, "The artistic influences, they are from north Africa and from Antioch and similar pieces have been found in Sicily and it seems it was an international artist what this owner brought to adore his vila.

Avissar believes the owner was most likely Jewish or Christian, because the mosaic has no pagan attributes such as a depiction of Roman gods.

Miriam Avissar said, "The mosaic is a marvellous condition, it's completely flat and we had a lot of luck, no stones fell on it."

The future conservation work will take about two years, during which the mosaic stones will be removed and taken to a professional laboratory. Once the work is done, the stones will be returned to their original, permanent location in Lod.

A portion of the colorful mosaic is expected to be displayed in an upcoming exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

(CCTV July 3, 2009)