In 1996, a construction worker in Lod, Israel discovered a massive mosaic dating back almost two-thousand years ago. The 50 feet long by 27 feet wide Lod Mosaic was perfectly preserved. It is believed the floor was designed around 300 A.D. when Lod or ancient Lydda was a Roman colony. Experts debate the ownership of the mosaic because it does not depict any religious imagery nor does it have any human figures. This makes it difficult to determine if it was owned by a Jew or a pagan at the time. The exotic panels feature elephants, giraffes, lions as well as birds and marine life. Since the Lod Mosaic was removed, it has been exhibited all over the world like the Louvre Museum in Paris, the Altes Museum in Berlin, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
