Nicky Davidov, courtesy Israel Antiquities Authority

ON THE HIGH SEAS. A dolphin, whale and multiple fish swim across the south panel of the Lod Mosaic’s northern carpet. Two merchant ships—one of which is slightly damaged—appear among the marine life. A small cross is visible on the prow of the left ship. On the prow of the right ship, there appears to be another cross—but facing a different direction than the one on the other ship. While these crosses might indicate that the owner or artisan of the mosaics was Christian, it is also possible that the crosses are nothing more than decorative geometric patterns.