But no previous find could compare with the one that was made in the church of St. George.
The map does show mountain ranges, rivers, streams, architectural symbols representing towns and holy sites.
The towns are represented through a range of symbols that hint at their varying importance.
Koikylides immediately realized the importance of the artwork.
Arvanitakis drew a copy of the map and a plan of the church with the location of the mosaic.
Upon his return to Jerusalem a month later, he marketed his design through reproductions.
The original mosaic measured 21 meters by 7 meters and contained more than two million tesserae.
The map is organized around the Jordan River and the Dead Sea as the main axes.
It is believed that the representation of Madaba would occupy a relevant place in line with Jerusalem.
Photo:Grandbrothers | Dreamstime.com
Interior of Greek Orthodox Basilica of St George.
with the mosaic map of Holy Land in Madaba, Jordan.
