Taking new look at ancient West Bank mosaic

JERICHO, West Bank — Tourists are being offered a new glimpse at one of the largest ancient mosaics in the Middle East after renovations undertaken by the Palestinian Authority were unveiled this week.

The 10,000- square- foot stone mosaic, with intricate geometric patterns, is part of what’s known as Hisham’s Palace. It was built during the reign of the Umayyads, the first hereditary Muslim dynasty, which ruled from Damascus. The palace was the winter resort of Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al- Malik, who ruled from A.D. 724 to 743.

It is situated near the desert oasis city of Jericho — one of the world’s oldest — in what is now the Israelioccupied West Bank. Israel, which controls access to the territory, planned to welcome tourists starting Monday. The Palestinians hope the new project will attract both local and foreign travelers.

The $18 million project, which included the construction of a large dome to protect the mosaic from the elements, was partly funded by the Japanese government. Tourists can now view the mosaic from a new walkway suspended above it.

The project was originally supposed to be completed in 2018 but was delayed, in part because of the challenge of anchoring the dome without disturbing the archaeological remains.

Abdel Raheem Zahran, a local tourist who came with his children on Oct. 28, said he had been to the site seven years earlier, but it was “not as developed.”

“The dome that they made is great; you don’t have the sun beating down on you, ” he said.

“The dome that they made is great; you don’t have the sun beating down on you.”

— Abdel Raheem Zahran, local tourist

The mosiac is situated near the desert oasis city of Jericho — one of the world’s oldest — in what is now the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israel, which controls access to the territory, planned to welcome tourists starting Monday. The Palestinians hope the new project will attract both local and foreign travelers.

(AP/Nasser Nasser) Visitors roam the site of a 7th century, 10,000-square-foot mosaic Oct. 28 at the Islamic archaeological site of Hisham Palace, north of the West Bank city of Jericho.

A newly built dome covers the site of the mosaic that was opened to the public.

This section of the mosaic has been restored.

The mosaic, with intricate geometric patterns, was built during the reign of the Umayyads, the first hereditary Muslim dynasty, which ruled from Damascus.

The project was originally supposed to be completed in 2018 but was delayed, in part because of the challenge of anchoring the dome without disturbing the archaeological remains.