Oil Lamp, mould made
Production date
Late 6th Century CE-7th Century CE
Country
Cyprus
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Object detail
Description
Lamp, mould made. Elongated oval body with broad rim and sharply carinated shoulder. Slightly convex circular base off-set by low circular ridge. Large central fill hole with raised rim, surrounded by two concentric ridges, one open-ended toward wick hole, the other encircling discus and wick hole. Row of rayed relief ridges on rim. Small conical stub handle on rim at rear. Buff brown clay covered with fine white lime. Shoulder carination slightly chipped. Signs of burning on wick hole. (Webb, Jennifer M., 1997 "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 CE-7th Century CE
Production place
Measurements
L83mm x W65mm x D37mm
Media/Materials description
Buff brown clay covered with fine white lime.
Signature/Marks
decoration
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
H645