Israel unveils Roman-era mosaic floor

The Israel Antiquities Authority unveiled a 1,700-year-old mosaic floor on Monday that archaeologists found last year while building a visitors' center meant to display another mosaic that had been discovered two decades earlier at the same location.

The authority said the newly discovered Roman-era mosaic measures 11 meters by 13 meters and paved the courtyard of a villa in an affluent neighborhood that stood during the Roman and Byzantine eras. The scenes include hunting animals, fish, vases and birds.

"The quality of the images portrayed in the mosaic indicates a highly developed artistic ability," said Amir Gorzalczany, who directed the excavation.