Renovations offer new view of ancient West Bank mosaic

JERICHO, West Bank — Tourists are being offered a caller glimpse astatine 1 of the largest past mosaics successful the Middle East aft renovations undertaken by the Palestinian Authority were unveiled this week.

The 930-square-meter (10,000-square foot) chromatic mosaic, with intricate geometric patterns, is portion of what’s known arsenic Hisham’s Palace. It was built during the reign of the Umayyads, the archetypal hereditary Muslim dynasty, which ruled from Damascus. The palace was the wintertime edifice of Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik, who ruled from A.D. 724 to 743.

It is situated adjacent the godforsaken oasis metropolis of Jericho — 1 of the world’s oldest — successful what is present the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israel, which controls entree to the territory, plans to invited tourists from Nov. 1 arsenic it lifts COVID-19 restrictions. The Palestinians anticipation the caller task volition pull some section and overseas travelers.

The $18 cardinal project, which included the operation of a ample dome to support the mosaic from the elements, was partially funded by the Japanese government. Tourists tin present presumption the mosaic from a caller walkway suspended supra it.

The task was primitively expected to beryllium completed successful 2018 but was delayed, successful portion due to the fact that of the situation of anchoring the dome without disturbing the archaeological remains.

Abdel Raheem Zahran, a section tourer who came with his children connected Thursday, said helium had been to the tract 7 years earlier, but it was “not arsenic developed.”

“The dome that they made is great, you don’t person the prima beating down connected you, “ helium said.