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The pottery oil lamp was the principle
means of producing light in ancient times.
It also had a symbolic and cultic purpose,
as is indicated by the profusion of lamps
found in tombs: it served to light the way
for the deceased, and as a link between
the living and the dead. The light of the oil
lamp often symbolized the human soul
and his struggle between good and evil.
Thus the saying: 'A lamp is called a lamp,
and the soul of a man is called a lamp'
(Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 30b). The
fuel which burnt in these lamps was
usually olive oil. The shape and
decoration of the oil lamp changed and
evolved quite rapidly through time, and
also varied from culture to culture.
Lamps, therefore, are convenient
indicators for dating archaeological
assemblages. In the Byzantine period,
with the spread of Christianity in the
region, it became common practice to
decorate the lamps with Christian
symbols. This lamp has a cross on its
handle, and is decorated with schematic
plant motifs.
means of producing light in ancient times.
It also had a symbolic and cultic purpose,
as is indicated by the profusion of lamps
found in tombs: it served to light the way
for the deceased, and as a link between
the living and the dead. The light of the oil
lamp often symbolized the human soul
and his struggle between good and evil.
Thus the saying: 'A lamp is called a lamp,
and the soul of a man is called a lamp'
(Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 30b). The
fuel which burnt in these lamps was
usually olive oil. The shape and
decoration of the oil lamp changed and
evolved quite rapidly through time, and
also varied from culture to culture.
Lamps, therefore, are convenient
indicators for dating archaeological
assemblages. In the Byzantine period,
with the spread of Christianity in the
region, it became common practice to
decorate the lamps with Christian
symbols. This lamp has a cross on its
handle, and is decorated with schematic
plant motifs.
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