Image Details

Israel Antiquities Authority

BENEATH THE FRONDS OF A PALM TREE. According to the Qu’ran, Mary sat and rested under a date palm tree during the onset of her labor. This ornate mosaic of a date palm tree from the southeastern corner of the Kathisma may represent that tree. Near the bottom of the mosaic are two smaller palm trees, perhaps in the distance. Each of them, like the larger tree, bears two large bunches of dates.