| This is a "Herodian" oil lamp, about 2,000 years old. The reign of
Herold the Great was one of splendour, grand public buildings, resplendent
homes of the wealthy, and many innovations. "It is therefore strange that
the oil-lamp of the period - a widespread, practical vessel which was present
in every household - is extremely simple and lacking all ornamentatioin,
while more elaborate lamps have been discovered in almost all sites of
the period, they are few in number and most of them are imported, as were,
for example, the lamps which were uncovered in Jerusalem. It is possible
that religious prohibitions led to the use of unornamented lamps among
the observant population" (Oil-Lamps of Eretz Israel, p.38). It is a simple
lamp, with practical features (the large filling hole and long nozzle to
place a wick that would not burn out easily or too quickly). It is made
of good buff clay ansd was properly fired. The filling hole is neatly shaped
with an instrucment (in contrast to the broken discus of the earlier Old
Roman type). Surrounding the hole is a narrow ledge and a low ridge separates
it from the plain unornamented shoulder. Cut-lines mark out the concavities.
The nozzle curves outward slightly and end in a straight edge. the base
is flat and plain bearing th eimpressions of the table top of the potter's
wheel. The mouth is beautifully-shaped and the whole lamp is of classic
Herodian design. |
