Begining in the 3rd and 4th centuries C.E., the floors of synagogues were decorated in mosaic tile with geometric, vegetal, animal, and figural imagery that reflected varied cultural influencs. The bird represented here is probably a dove, identified by the bands on the neck and striped tail. Enclosed in a circle it was probably part of a composition of scrolled vines, derived from Roman mosaic art that was common in both synagogues and churches.