Israeli officials recently announced the timely discovery of an unusual oil lamp dating back to the 4th century For Chanukah.
In a Facebook post published on Thursday, the Israel Antiquities Authority explained that the oil lamp, dating to the late Roman Empire, was found during recent excavations 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 70 AD. Archaeologists have discovered images of incense shovels, Candlestick A lulav, a date tree frond used to celebrate sukkot, is carved on the lamp.
“The exquisite craftsmanship of the lamp, which was found complete, makes it exquisite and extremely rare,” IAA excavation director Michael Chernin said in a statement. “The menorah, incense shovel and lulav are symbols associated with the Jewish connection to the temple.”
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The oil lamp, which is about 1,700 years old, dates back to the 4th century. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
The lamp also has signs of soot from the last time it was used, nearly two thousand years ago.
“This unique discovery, which, based on soot marks on the crater’s mouth, was used for lighting some 1,700 years ago, provides a fascinating glimpse into Jewish cultural and religious life during this period,” the Israel Antiquities Authority 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 a large number of Jews in Israel, where they faced persecution at the hands of the Romans.
Chernin added that the oil lamp was “particularly surprising” because so little is known about Jews living in Jerusalem in the fourth century.
The historian explained, “After the Roman Emperor Hadrian suppressed the Bar Kochba rebellion in 135 AD, the Jews were expelled from the city.” “The Mount of Olives Lamp is one of the few physical traces of the Jewish presence around Jerusalem in the third and fifth centuries AD.”
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Officials say the discovery was “particularly surprising” because fourth-century Jewish artifacts are difficult to find near the Mount of Olives. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
The craftsman who made the lamp “devoted a great deal of time and effort to its decoration,” IAA Research Archaeologist Benjamin Storchan said.
“The lamp was made using limestone molds that were meticulously and intricately carved using drills and chisels,” Storchan noted. “The molds were made in two parts, the upper and the lower. To make the lamp, the potter would press the clay into the molds, then press them together.”
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Storchan also said the lamp likely belonged to a Jew who “bought it because of his religious affiliation and his temple memorial.”
The lamp depicts details of religious significance, such as a menorah and a lulav. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
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The lamp is on public display at the newly built Jay and Jenny Schottenstein National Campus Antiquities in JerusalemIt will be open to the public during the Festival of Lights.
