Location in the architectural complex:
North aisle
Mosaic floor
Composition:
4X14 m.
The border is chain of squares in between plain strips.
The field is a pattern of type H3 (squares within overlapping octagons)- four octagons seperated from each other by a cross formed by five small squares. The rest of the field contains squares, irregular hexagons and semi hexagons. Within the top octagon is a small plant in a vase, with a peacock on either side. In each of the semi-hexagonal panels, in the top corner, is a lobster. In each of the hexagons, below thw squares flanking the octagon, there is a fish. The squares at the sides of the octagons and the four squares that form the arms of the crossesare filled with swastikas. In the central square of each cross are two interlaced oval rings (Solomon's knot). The semi-hexagons flanking the crosses contain fish. The second octagon from the top contains a fragmentary representation of two sailors on a boat with furled sails. The central square of the cross, below the octagon, contains a pattern of a six strand guilloche. The third octagon depicts Jonah reclining under a branch; below the depiction, to the right, is written in Greek: IWNAC. The central square, below the octagon, contains a circle surrounded by a rope-like pattern (two-strand guilloche) forming eight knots.
Geometric patterns:
Avi-Yonah H3
Avi-Yonah I17
Avi-Yonah I4
Avi-Yonah B6
Avi-Yonah B2
Avi-Yonah A1
Avi-Yonah B5
Floral motives:
small plant
Comments:
Many of the animals are demaged- Only the tails of the peacock survived, one of the lobsters and the fish have been damaged.
Jonah's head was mutilated.
The fourth octagon and everything around it is destroyed.
Inscriptions