Lamp from 1,700 years ago with Temple symbols

A rare ceramic oil lamp, dated to the late Roman period, was discovered in Jerusalem with images of items associated with the Second Temple. The Israel Antiquities Authority announced the find on Thursday.

“After the Roman Emperor Hadrian suppressed the Bar Kochba revolt in 135 CE, the Jews were expelled from the city,” explained Michael Chernin, director of excavations at the IAA. “This lamp found on the Mount of Olives is one of the few material remnants indicating a Jewish presence around Jerusalem between the 3rd and 5th centuries CE.”

The lamp has been deemed a “unique find,” according to the Israel Antiquities Authority. Soot marks on its spout indicate that it was used about 1,700 years ago.

The symbols of the Temple that adorn the piece include a representation of the menorah used in the Second Temple, an incense shovel, and a lulav (palm branch).

“The detailed artistic work of the lamp, which was found intact, makes it extraordinary and extremely rare,” stated Michael Chernin.

The symbols on the lamp, connected to the Temple, were described as “particularly surprising,” given that there is “very little evidence of a Jewish settlement within and around Jerusalem during this period,” highlighted Chernin.

Benjamin Storchan, an archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority, explained that the lamp belongs to the type known as "Beit Nattif," named after a production workshop identified in the 1930s near Bet Shemesh.

‘Extremely Rare’ Discovery

‍“Oil lamps with menorah decorations are extremely rare, and only a few similar Beit Nattif types are recorded in the National Treasury archive,” stated Chernin. “The choice of symbols was not accidental. It is a fascinating testimony that connects everyday objects to the beliefs of the inhabitants of ancient Jerusalem. It is likely that the lamp belonged to a Jew, who acquired it as an expression of their religious affiliation and as a reminder of the Temple.”

“It is evident that the manufacturer dedicated great time and effort to the decoration of the piece, delicately and intricately sculpting the limestone molds using drills and forms,” he added.

“The molds were produced in two parts – upper and lower,” explained Storchan. “To make the lamp, the potter pressed the clay into the molds and then joined the two parts. The vessel was then fired and prepared for use. This mold production method allowed for refined designs and the incorporation of delicate and intricate decorations.”

The Minister of Heritage, Amichai Eliyahu (Otzma Yehudit), stated: “This unique oil lamp, which emotionally carries the symbols of the Temple, connects the lights of the past to today’s Hanukkah holiday, symbolizing the deep and enduring bond of the nation of Israel with its heritage and the memory of the Temple.”

He announced that the lamp would be presented to the public for the first time during Hanukkah, “together with the stone molds used to produce these ceramic lamps.”

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