Mosaics are some of the oldest remaining artifacts of the early Christian presence in the Holy Land. With the possible exception of olive wood carving, few other crafts can lay claim to be so integral to the region. There are over 7,000 known mosaics that have been documented in the Holy Land, with more being discovered each year.
Even before the advent of the Christian faith, mosaics were used to decorate both sacred, civic structures as well as private homes of the wealthy. Many fine examples of mosaic work in Hasmonean Jewish communities contemporary to Christ exist. In 2012, a mosaic was discovered in Israel bearing an image of Samson. Excellent examples of early Jewish mosaic work have been discovered in Lod (formerly Led, or Lydda) and in Zepphoris in the Galilee.
The best and most substantial mosaic work, however, stems from the Christian Byzantine Era in the Holy Land, which existed from the early 4th century AD until the middle of the 7th Century, the first great age of pilgrimage to the Holy Land from the lands of Byzantium, which today covers much of the Mediterranean, Turkey and the Middle East. As mosaics were an important part of Byzantine Christian art, it became a central component of the church building that occurred on an unprecedented scale following Saint Helena’s pilgrimage of the Holy Land in the early 4th century.
The earliest Christian mosaics in the Holy Land can often be identified as they have overtly Christian symbols, such as crosses. Such designs in mosaic floors were eventually discontinued as church theologians ruled that stepping on religious symbols was sacrilegious. In time, a general theme of geometric patterns, flora, fauna and landscape scenes could be found in mosaic floors, while those on interior and exterior walls had more overtly religious themes.
Mosaics were created across the Holy Land and Jordan. No part of this geographic region is without some evidence of mosaic construction. In some cases where higher quality stone was less plentiful, mosaics may have been a more cost-effective means of covering a floor in a manner suiting to a church, important civic building or a private home. In the unique case of Madaba in Jordan, mosaics were used as a map to show pilgrims where important places of Christian worship were to be located. However, in most cases mosaics were meant to provide aesthetic beauty to a building.
During this great golden age of church-building, AD, mosaic artisans were in such high demand that the best artisans had sample-books for potential customers to decide what patterns and figures they wanted in their mosaic. Innumerable churches, basilicas and monasteries were adorned with mosaics as wealthy patrons from the Byzantine Empire competed to show their support of their favorite places of pilgrimage in the Holy Land. As mosaic work was a highly specialized – and expensive – craft, it was a sign of piety (and perhaps wealth and status) to commission a mosaic.
However, the trade suffered a major setback in the 7th century AD following two Persian invasions and the end of Byzantine rule in Jerusalem. The unique conditions which allowed for easy travel from Byzantium to the Holy Land no longer existed, which meant a loss of pilgrims, monastics, and patronage.
Mosaic artisanship survived past the Byzantine Era and into the Islamic Era through the Ummayad Dynasty. The most impressive mosaics from this era can be found in Jericho at the archaeological ruins of Hisham’s Palace. However, by the middle of the 9th century AD, the craft had disappeared.
As churches, civic buildings and private estates built with mosaics fell into disuse and disrepair over the many centuries, their building material and stones were often repurposed for other structures over the centuries. As there was little to no reason to pull up or destroy mosaic floors, many were simply covered up over time with earth, where they laid for centuries, forgotten and hidden.
Today, mosaic artisanship has enjoyed a dramatic revival as a historical and archaeological subject, and a revived art form. Several mosaic centers and private factories have been founded in the last 25 years across the Holy Land.
Bethlehem Mosaics is proud to be contributing to this renaissance of mosaics in the Holy Land, and hopes that the tradition will continue for many generations to come.