Israeli officials recently announced the discovery of an unusual oil lamp dating back to the fourth century, just in time for Hanukkah.
In a Facebook post published on Thursday, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) explained that the oil lamp, which dates back to the Late Roman Empire, was found during a recent excavation near the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
The artifact appears to refer to the Second Temple, although it was made more than 200 years after the temple was destroyed in AD 70. Archaeologists discovered depictions of an incense stick, a menorah, and a lulav, a palm leaf used to celebrate Sukkot. , engraved on the lamp.
“The exquisite artistic workmanship of the lamp, which was found complete, makes it exceptional and extremely rare,” IAA excavation director Michael Chernin said in a statement. “The menorah, incense stick, and lulava are symbols associated with the Jewish connection to the Temple.”
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The oil lamp, approximately 1,700 years old, dates back to the fourth century. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
The lamp also contains traces of soot from the last time it was used, nearly two millennia ago.
“This unique find, which, judging by the soot marks on its mouth, was used for lighting some 1,700 years ago, offers a fascinating glimpse into Jewish cultural and religious life during this period,” the IAA said.
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The lamp was found near the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
During the Late Roman Empire, Christianity became the preferred religion and Roman polytheism was largely abandoned. There were still significant numbers of Jews in Israel, where they faced persecution from the Romans.
Chernin added that the oil lamp was “particularly surprising” because so little is known about the Jews who lived in Jerusalem in the fourth century.
“After the Roman emperor Hadrian crushed the Bar Kokhba rebellion in 135 CE, the Jews were expelled from the city,” the historian explained. “The Mount of Olives lamp is one of the few material traces of a Jewish presence around Jerusalem in the 3rd-5th centuries AD.”
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The discovery was “particularly surprising” because fourth-century Jewish artifacts are hard to find near the Mount of Olives, officials said. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
IAA Research archaeologist Benjamin Storchan said the craftsman who created the lamp “put a lot of time and effort into its decoration”.
“The lamp is made using limestone molds delicately and intricately carved using drills and chisels,” Storchan noted. “The molds were made in two parts, a top and a bottom. To create the lamp, the potter pressed the clay into the molds, then pressed it together.”
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Storchan also said the lamp likely belonged to a Jew who “bought it because of its religious affiliation and the Temple memorial.”
The lamp depicts important religious details, such as a menorah and a lulav. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
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The lamp is on public display at the newly constructed Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Archeology Campus in Jerusalem, where it will be open to the public through the Festival of Lights.
