In 1996 a splendid series of Roman mosaic floors was accidentally discovered during local road works in Lod, Israel (Lydda in the Ancient World). They were excavated in 2009 by the Israel Antiquities Authority.
Found in the remains of what was probably a large villa, the main mosaic panel measures roughly eight metres in length and is in three sections. It is dated to around 300 AD and demonstrates fine workmanship, with beautiful border designs and images of exotic wild animals from across the Roman Empire, such as lions, elephants and giraffes, as well as various local fish in an elaborate marine scene.
The largest and most elaborate of these mosaics was displayed at Waddesdon Manor in 2014 and the InstaPlant carpet bed depicts part of the famous mosaic.