Bureij mosaic

The Bureij mosaic is a Byzantine-era mosaic floor discovered under an olive orchard in the Bureij refugee camp in the Gaza Strip in 2022.[1]

The mosaic was likely created between 390 and 634–636 A.D.[1] The mosaic is described as a "sprawling grid" with cartouches containing 17 animals, including geese, ducks, dogs, insects, goats, deer, and an octopus.[2][1][3] There are also geometric patterns and a border depicting a vine.[4] The mosaic underlies a 500-square-metre (5,400 sq ft) area from which three sections of earth have already been removed, with more remaining to be excavated.[4]

Farmer Salman al-Nabahin found the mosaic when he began investigating why his trees were not rooting properly.[1] The French Biblical and Archaeological School of Jerusalem is assisting with the excavation.[2] Archaeologist Rene Elter reported that the mosaic was in a "perfect state of conservation".[4] Further research is needed to determine whether the mosaic floor was installed in a private villa, a religious structure, or for some other purpose.[4]

Earlier the same year, a different Gazan farmer unearthed a statue of the Canaanite goddess Anat that dated to approximately 2500 B.C.[5]