The Megiddo Mosaic: Foundations of Faith Opening Event
Join us to celebrate the opening of our new exhibition made possible in partnership with the Israel Antiquities Authority, The Megiddo Mosaic: Foundations of Faith.
Be among the first to see the mosaic floor from the oldest site of Christian worship known in the world.
We’re celebrating with two special programs from our Education Department. Discover the songs and instruments of the early church, including the oldest Christian hymn, and explore period instruments like a kithara, aulos, and bagpipe in Ancient Music with the Neumans. Then, design and build your own mosaic in our mosaic workshop. Both programs are free with museum admission. Schedule and more information below.
Then, at 3:00 p.m., join Interim Chief Curatorial Officer Dr. Bobby Duke and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Carlos Campo for opening remarks and a ribbon cutting. Afterward, you will be welcome to enter the exhibit and talk with museum curators and specialists about the mosaic.
Sep 15, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT
Floors 4 & 5
GA Free with Admission
In Person Event
Opening Event Schedule
Floor 5 at 3:00 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting and Opening Remarks
Floor 5 at 3:07 p.m.
Exhibit Opens to the Public
Education Programming
Ancient Music with the Neumans
Floor 1 Atrium
Performances: 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m.
Floor 5 Atrium
Performance: 3:10 p.m.
Mosaic Workshop
Floor 4, New Discoveries Lab
Workshops: 1:00–1:45 p.m., 2:00–2:45 p.m., 3:00–3:45 p.m.
Program Descriptions
Ancient Music with the Neumans
Come enjoy the performance of ancient Greek music with artists Gayle and Phil Neuman as the Ensemble De Organographia. Their presentation will include the third-century AD Christian hymn from Oxyrhynchus papyrus 1786 on reproductions of period instruments they built, including kithara, lyra, trichordon, aulos, bagpipe, syrinx monokalamos, kroupezon, psithyra, krotala cymbals, tympanon, and salpinx. The performances will include spoken explanations of the instruments, music, texts, and the sources for the surviving notation.
Come hear what may have been the same music sung by the third-century Christians as they worshiped in the prayer hall of the Megiddo Mosaic.
Mosaic Workshop
Numerous excavations in the Land of Israel have revealed decorative mosaic floors, many in public areas such as churches and synagogues, while others can be found in palaces, bathhouses, and private dwellings. In this workshop, we will reveal stunning examples of mosaic art from the classical period of ancient Israel and focus on the artistic motifs and inscriptions found in churches and synagogues. Then, guests will create a small mosaic to take home. Join us as we explore the art of making mosaics.
About the Exhibition
Explore the Megiddo Mosaic, a beautifully preserved floor dedicated to the worship of “God Jesus Christ” from the oldest site of Christian worship in the world.