A Palestinian farmer has discovered an ornate Byzantine floor mosaic while trying to plant an olive tree on his land in the Gaza Strip.
Salman al-Nabahin said he and his son had been digging into the ground when they unearthed the relic.
They later uncovered several more sections depicting colourful animals and birds.
Experts have called it one of the greatest archaeological treasures ever found in Gaza.
Mr Nabahin told Reuters news agency he had realised the mosaic belonged to the Byzantine era after searching on the internet.
The Byzantine Empire was the eastern half of the Roman Empire, which can be traced back to 330 AD, and survived for more than a thousand years.
"I see it as a treasure, dearer than a treasure. It is a Palestinian legacy," Mr Nabahim said.
A Palestinian farmer has discovered an ornate Byzantine floor mosaic while trying to plant an olive tree on his land in the Gaza Strip.
Salman al-Nabahin said he and his son had been digging into the ground when they unearthed the relic.
They later uncovered several more sections depicting colourful animals and birds.
Experts have called it one of the greatest archaeological treasures ever found in Gaza.
Mr Nabahin told Reuters news agency he had realised the mosaic belonged to the Byzantine era after searching on the internet.
The Byzantine Empire was the eastern half of the Roman Empire, which can be traced back to 330 AD, and survived for more than a thousand years.
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"I see it as a treasure, dearer than a treasure. It is a Palestinian legacy," Mr Nabahim said.
