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STORY: Location: Lod, Israel

This 1,700 year-old Roman floor

mosaic is returning to Israel

after a decade-long tour of some

of the world's top museums

[Hagit Torge, Israel Antiquities Authority]:

"What we see here is basically a typical villa from the 3rd and 4th centuries (CE). The owner was probably a very rich merchant because he travelled throughout the world and he saw things, like all the ships and the fish and other animals on display in the mosaic."

The mosaic was found in a Tel Aviv

suburb during highway construction

and is exceptionally well preserved

Authorities believe it may have

served as the foyer floor of a mansion