A
stunning 6th century CE mosaic floor referred to as the “Bird
Mosaic” was uncovered by accident in 1955 on the outskirts of Caeserea in
Israel, outside the walls of the ancient settlement. With no budget available
for its preservation, it was covered over again until the Israel Antiquities
Authority and the Director of the Caesarea Antiquities Preservation project
decided in 2005 to preserve the unique find and to reveal it to the public.
Lying in situ, the Bird Mosaic offers a rare glimpse into the lives of a
wealthy Byzantine-era Caesarean who commissioned this ancient work of art. This
palace complex, covering an area of nearly 1 acre (4,000 sq. meters), was
probably owned by a reputable and wealthy family. See lots of great pictures and read article
at -- http://followinghadrian.com/2014/11/23/the-byzantine-bird-mosaic-from-caesarea-israel/#.VSaRXjQrAUE
The witnesses, laying their coats at the feet of Saul, were the men that would cast the first stones at Stephen in Acts 7. Why did they all lay their coats at Saul’s feet? The Talmud contains a very interesting account of the act of stoning that may provide the answer. “When the trial was over, they take him [the condemned person] out to be stoned. The place of stoning was at a distance from the court, as it is said, ‘Take out the one who has cursed.’ [i] A man stands at the entrance of the court; in his hand is a signaling flag [Hebrew sudarin = sudar , ‘scarf, sweater’]. A horseman was stationed far away but within sight of him. If one [of the judges] says, ‘I have something [more] to say in his favor,’ he [the signaler] waves the sudarin , and the horseman runs and stops them [from stoning him]. Even if [the condemned person] himself says, ‘I have something to say in my favor,’ they bring him back, even four of five times, only provided that there is some substance to what he
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