David Silverman/Getty Images. Workers remove the cover from an ancient Roman mosaic as it is revealed some 13 years after it was first discovered in the ruins of a 4th century AD building, on July 1, 2009 in Lod in central Israel. The beautiful 1,700 year old mosaic floor, which is regarded as one of the most magnificent and largest ever revealed in Israel, was first uncovered in 1996 during a project to upgrade the city's sewage system. The well-preserved mosaic covers an area of about 180 square meters and is composed of coloured carpets that depict in detail animals, birds, fish, a variety of flora and the sailing and merchant ships that were used at the time.

David Silverman/Getty Images. One fish being eaten by anoither is seen in this detail from an intricate ancient Roman mosaic as it is revealed some 13 years after it was first discovered in the ruins of a 4th century AD building, on July 1, 2009 in Lod in central Israel.

David Silverman/Getty Images. A leopard bringing down its prey is seen in this detail from an intricate ancient Roman mosaic as it is revealed some 13 years after it was first discovered in the ruins of a 4th century AD building, on July 1, 2009 in Lod in central Israel.

David Silverman/Getty Images. A worker cleans the dirt off an ancient Roman mosaic as it is revealed some 13 years after it was first discovered in the ruins of a 4th century AD building, on July 1, 2009 in Lod in central Israel.