A Unique Discovery
The rare clay lamp, dating back to the Late Roman period, was discovered near the Mount of Olives. It features decorations of a seven-branched menorah, a firepan, and a lulav. According to soot marks found on its spout, it was used for lighting about 1,700 years ago. This discovery provides a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and religious life of Jews during that period.
“A Rare and Surprising Find”
“This find is particularly surprising, as we have very few records of Jewish settlements in Jerusalem and its surroundings from this period. Following the suppression of the Bar Kokhba Revolt by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 135 CE, Jews were expelled from the city,” said Michael Tcheranin, director of the excavation for the IAA. “This lamp from the Mount of Olives might serve as tangible evidence of Jewish presence around Jerusalem during the 3rd and 4th centuries.” The lamp will be on public display for the first time during Hanukkah, as part of tours and events at the National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel, held in conjunction with the Heritage Conference.
“For Many, Objects Carry Jewish Symbolism—So Does This Lamp”
The lamp belongs to a type known as “Beit Nattif lamps,” named after the remains of a production site discovered in the 1930s near present-day Beit Shemesh. The spout and shoulders of the lamp are decorated with geometric patterns, while its central motif features a seven-branched menorah with a three-legged base. Oil lamps bearing menorah decorations are exceedingly rare, and only a few are known in Israel’s archaeological collections, especially from the Beit Nattif style.
The choice of symbols on the lamp is deliberate. According to Benjamin Storchan, a researcher at the IAA, “This is a fascinating testament to the connection between everyday objects and the religious world of ancient Jerusalem’s inhabitants. It is possible that the lamp belonged to a Jew who purchased it due to its religious significance and its connection to the memory of the Temple.”
“Meticulously Crafted Using Limestone Molds”
“The lamp was crafted using soft limestone molds. The decorations were carved into the interior of the mold using drills and chisels. The molds were made in two parts (upper and lower). To create the lamp, the potter pressed soft clay into the mold’s sides, and after the two halves dried, they were joined together. Finally, the lamp was fired, making it usable,” explained the archaeologist. “This method of mold-based production allowed for more precise designs and the addition of detailed and delicate decorations,” he added.
