Mamshit frescoes
Fragments of fresco wall decoration from the archaeological site of Mamshit, southern Israel, are the only example in Israel of painting from the Nabataean period.
Dating to the end of the 2nd – beginning of 3rd century A.D., they decorate the walls of a small rectangular room (2.4 x 4.1 m) in building XII in the North West side of the town. Three arches support a flat roof, 3.2 m from the ground. The room can be entered through a high rectangular opening in the northern wall. Two more arch doors can be found on the right and on the left of the main entrance, while a small narrow window is high on the opposite wall.
Frescoes are preserved on the arches and on the eastern and western walls. Today they are badly damaged and most of them is lost.
On the western wall it is represented the myth of Eros and Psyches, framed by painted ornamental carpets; winged Nikes and warriors can be found on the arches, their original location, where they have been placed back during the intervention following the discovery of the building.
The main principle leading the intervention was the attempt to apply the most modern conservation methods, fully respecting original techniques and materials: constant attention has been paid to using materials as similar and compatible with the structure as possible.
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