Oil Lamps

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Oil lamps have been used since very ancient times.

Archeologist, Aviram Oshri:

“Since there was no electricity in ancient times, oil lamps were used to light homes after sunset. Oil was poured into this vessel, through the filling hole, as it is called, the large hole, and a wick was placed in the small hole that was usually made of cotton fibers or something similar. The wick draws the oil out of the reservoir of the candle and it provided light for a relatively long period of time.

We can see how these vessels evolved. At first, the lamp was essentially an open bowl with a pinched side that was meant to hold the wick. There are lamps with two wick holes, like this one in front of us. It slowly evolved into a closed vessel, from which the oil inside could not spill. It is possible to identify the periods when these lamps were created according to the characteristics of the vessel. [...]”

The round, discus-shaped lamp was only used during the Roman era, from the second to third century CE. It is round in shape, in contrast with the later lamps which are oval or almond shaped.

The large opening of the lamp is called the filling hole. The discus lamp was sold to consumers with the filling hole still closed and a tiny hole in the center, and it was unusable. Only after the purchase was the opening broken, the lamp filled with oil, and the wick lit. In this lamp, it is still possible to see where the filling hole was broken open, and to see that it isn’t a perfect circle. In contrast, the ornate lamps next to it have round, perfect, beautiful openings.

The lamp made of light colored clay is a classic Byzantine lamp and features a lined relief. Its almond shape and geometric embellishments are characteristic of the Byzantine period. Notice the soot at the edge - it remains from when the lamp was lit many years ago.

The iron vessel that looks like a lamp at first glance, is actually not a lamp, but rather a funnel.

Archeologist, Aviram Oshri:

“This is a vessel made of iron, which was not common, by the way. Most items were made of bronze. This vessel was intended for filing clay lamps with oil. It has a very narrow spout so that it can be easily inserted into the filling hole and fill the lamp with oil.”