A stunning Byzantine-era mosaic uncovered by a Palestinian farmer last year has been revealed to the public.

The mosaic in Bureij in the central Gaza Strip was uncovered just a kilometre from the Israeli border and the discover has brought attention to the need to protect Gaza's antiquities, which are threatened by a lack of resources and the constant threat of fighting with Israel.

Landowner Salman Al Nabahin says he stumbled upon it while planting an olive tree last spring and quietly excavated it over several months with his son.

Experts say the discovery of the mosaic — which includes 17 well-preserved images of animals and birds — is one of Gaza's greatest archaeological treasures.

Footage shows the mosaic floor being cleaned and includes a soundbite in Arabic by Salman Al Nabahin.

Footage by APA

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: Bureij, 18 September 2022. Palestinians clean around a Byzantine-era mosaic floor that was uncovered recently by a farmer in Bureij in central Gaza Strip.

0.1 SOUNDBITE (in Arabic) Salman Al Nabahin, the owner of the land.


STORYLINE:

The man says he stumbled upon it while planting an olive tree last spring and quietly excavated it over several months with his son. Experts say the discovery of the mosaic — which includes 17 well-preserved images of animals and birds — is one of Gaza's greatest archaeological treasures. They say it's drawing attention to the need to protect Gaza's antiquities, which are threatened by a lack of resources and the constant threat of fighting with Israel.

Footage by /APA