Oil Lamp, hand made
Production date
Late 6th Century-7th Century CE
Country
Cyprus
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Object detail
Description
Lamp, probably hand made. Elongated oval body, broader at one end than the other, with wide rim. Oblique base defined by groove. Conical stub handle the spine of which extends almost to base. Slightly off-centre fill hole surrounded by two raised ridges, off-set by grooves, which follow contours of lamp on discus and rim, the former creating a broad shallow channel from the discus to large oval wick-hole. Cream pink clay with black grits, self slipped. Signs of burning at wick hole. (Webb, Jennifer M., "Corpus of Cypriote Antiquities", Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology, Vol. XX: p. 18)
Classification
LIGHTING Kerosene & Oil oil lamp
ARCHAEOLOGY Cypriot
ARCHAEOLOGY Cypriot
Production date
Late 6th Century-7th Century CE
Production place
Measurements
L70mm x W52mm x D29mm
Media/Materials description
Cream pink clay with black grits, self slipped.
History and use
The need to extend daylight hours has always been with us. Before the advent of electricity, allowing a space to be illuminated with the simple flick of a switch, light was achieved by the use of a candle or a lamp. Artificial lighting via candles and lamps was widespread through the ancient world. Lamps were utilised in private and public buildings, in temples and sanctuaries, in street lighting and in ceremonies.
Associated person
Registration number
H629
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