A Rare 1,700 Year Old Oil Lamp,
decorated with Temple symbols - menorah,
incense shovel and lulav, was found in Jerusalem
during Israel Antiquities Authority excavations

"The exquisite artistic workmanship of the lamp, which was found complete, makes it an outstanding and extremely rare ” says Michael Chernin, excavation director on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority. “The menorah, incense shovel and lulav are symbols associated with the Jewish connection to the Temple. This finding is particularly surprising, since, we have very little evidence of the existence of a Jewish settlement in and around Jerusalem from this period. After the Roman emperor Hadrian suppressed the Bar Kochba rebellion in 135 CE, Jews were expelled from the city. The Mount of Olives lamp is one of the few material traces of a Jewish presence around Jerusalem in the 3rd-5th centuries CE.”

According to Benjamin Storchan, Israel Antiquities Authority research archaeologist, the lamp belongs to the “Beit Nattif” type, named after is production workshop identified in the 1930's near Bet Shemesh. The nozzle and lamp shoulders were decorated with geometric designs and the center features a detailed deception of the seven branched menorah with a tripod base. Oil lamps with menorah decorations are exceedingly rare and only a few similar Beit Nattif type lamps can be found in the National Treasures archive. The choice of symbols on the lamp is not accidental. This is a fascinating testimony connecting everyday objects and faiths among ancient Jerusalem’s inhabitants. It seems that the lamp belonged to a Jew, who purchased it because of its religious affiliation and memorial to the Temple.”

"It is evident that the lamp maker dedicated a great deal of time and effort to its decoration" adds Storchan. "The lamp was made using delicately and intricately carved limestone molds using drills and chisels. The molds were made in two parts (upper and lower). To create the lamp, the potter pressed the clay into the molds then pressed together. Finally, the vessel was fired, and it could be used. This method of producing lamps in molds allowed for refined designs, as well as the addition of delicate and intricate decorations."

The ancient oil lamp
(Israel Antiquities Authority)

“The Temple menorah became a Jewish symbol in the Second Temple period. However, after the Temple’s destruction, the menorah image became an important icon in the Jewish collective memory both within Israel and the Diaspora. The menorah occasionally appears on personal objects such as oil lamps, which – being an illumination vessel, perhaps evoked a feeling of lighting the Temple menorah.

Minister of Heritage Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu, “This unique oil lamp, which in an exciting manner bears the symbols of the Temple, connects the lights of the past with the Chanukah holiday of today, and expresses the deep and long-standing connection of the nation of Israel to its heritage and to the Temple’s memory.”

Researchers Michael Chernin and Benjamin Storchan examining the oil lamp.
(Israel Antiquities Authority)

The rare lamp will be shown to the public for the first time during the Chanukah holiday, alongside stone molds used to make ceramic lamps. This will be done as part of tours held at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in honor of the Ministry of Heritage conference.

Source: Israel Antiquities Authority.