This is a catalogue of church, chapel and monastery mosaic pavements
discovered within the borders of Israel and the Palestinian Territories
(Roman Palestine). Chronologically, it spans the early 4th to 8th
centuries, the latter period seemingly designating the cessation of
mosaic manufacture in early Christian edifices in Palestine based on
current archaeological findings.
Sites are arranged alphabetically
and according to the four Roman provinces that encompassed the region,
and to which it is believed each originally belonged. The primary name
chosen for each site (in most cases) correlates with the site name used
in the indispensable gazetteer Tabula Imperii Romani Iudaea
Palaestina (1994), allowing for relatively simple site
identification and cross-referencing. In order to simplify the mosaic
design descriptions, the catalogue utilises a system of geometric
pattern coding. For each site, a map reference is given for the Israel
Grid, followed by a brief outline of its excavation or survey, a
thorough description of the pavements including the coding system,
inscriptions (if present), a commentary including proposed dates (if
given) and bibliography. The indexes include a concise list of
occurrences for each pattern code, figural designs and iconoclastic
damage; for inscriptions, ecclesiastical titles, named mosaicists and
cited provincial dating eras.