| Accession Number | P04604.015 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Film copy negative |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Ottoman Empire: Palestine, Shellal |
| Date made | 1917 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Unidentified Lighthorsemen preparing the Shellal Mosaic for removal and packaging before shipping ...
Description
Unidentified Lighthorsemen preparing the Shellal Mosaic for removal and packaging before shipping it to Australia. The Shellal Mosaic is the floor of an old Byzantine basilica or church which was supposedly built when the Children of Israel journeyed through Egypt about 561AD. The Turks uncovered it when they were putting in a gun emplacement during which time it was damaged. It was discovered by the Australians near El Arish in Palestine, by the 2nd Australian Light Horse Brigade during the second battle of Gaza on 23 April 1917.