Photograph of: Gerasa Synagogue, The Flood mosaic panel

The mosaic floor is located in the nartex (vestibule). It consists of a long oblong central panel surrounded by a narrow border. In the center of the south side of the border is a panel of sanctuary implements with a Greek inscription. In its center is a curved seven-branched menorah standing on three legs. The menorah is flanked by a mahta and a shofar on the right, and by a lulab and an ethrog on the left. The Greek inscription, inscribed in two columns on either side of the menorah, reads as follow: "Holy place. Amen. Sela. Peace to the synagogue.". The left corner of the central panel was partly preserved, and shows a dove with a branch in its beak standing on a tree. Two of Noah's sons are depicted beneath the tree and to their right are animals, possibly all coming out of the Ark (Gen. 9) (possibly shown in the damaged part of the panel). Only the heads of Shem and Jafeth have remained. Inscribed above their heads in Greek: "Shem", on the left, and "Jafeth", on the right. The animals on the right side of the central panel are arranged in three rows and all face the right. The upper row includes birds such as doves, peacocks, and geese; the middle row portrays beasts like as horses, sheep, and gazelles; and the lower row contains reptiles and beasts, such as a hare and snakes. On the north side of the panel, the border frieze depicts beasts pursuing each other. The panel was designed to be viewed from the south.