A multi-colored mosaic map that outlines the ancient Egyptian city of Chortaso (also known as Qartassa or Kartasa) has been uncovered in Kiryat Gat in the Southern District of Israel.

The 6th-century CE mosaic shows streets and buildings arranged like a map.

According to Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists Dr Saar Ganor and Dr Rina Avner, it adorned the floor of a Byzantine period church.

“The appearance of buildings on mosaic floors is a rare phenomenon in Israel,” the archaeologists said.

“The buildings are arranged along a main colonnaded street of a city, in a sort of ancient map.”

“A Greek inscription preserved alongside one of the buildings exposed in the mosaic indicates that the place which is depicted is the settlement Chortaso, in Egypt.”

“According to Christian tradition, the prophet Habakkuk was buried in Chortaso. The appearance of this Egyptian city on the floor of the public building in Kiryat Gat might allude to the origin of the church’s congregation.”

Two sections of the mosaic were preserved; animals such as a rooster, deer and birds and a special goblet with red fruits are portrayed on one part of the pavement.

“The artist utilized tesserae of 17 different colors in preparing the mosaic. The investment in the raw materials and their quality are the best ever discovered in Israel,” Dr Ganor said.

“A Nile River landscape in Egypt consisting of a boat with a rolled-up sail, streets and buildings is depicted on the second carpet.”

“The buildings are portrayed in detail and in 3D, and they have two-three stories, balconies and galleries, roofs, roof tiles and windows.”