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With kind permission of David A Douglas 

A Perspective on Ancient Jewish Oil Lamps

from the Chalcolithic to Byzantine Periods

A Collection by

David A. Douglas, Ph.D.

 

"Overview"

 

A Perspective on Ancient Jewish Oil Lamps and an

Examination of their Practical and Ritualistic Use along with

 the Properties of Light and its Symbolism.

 by David A.  Douglas, Ph.D.

 

 

 

Following is a catalogue-essay comparing the evolution and development of terra- cotta oil lamps from Israel to the archaeological-chronology, world history and the traditional Biblical narrative.  The practical and ritualistic use of oil lamps are also detailed along with the intriguing properties of light and its symbolism, as studied through each of the Archaeological / Historical time periods.   The typology of each lamp is explained and referenced to its particular time period along with general pottery descriptions and archaeological related data.  

With Sincere Thanks:

To my loving wife, companion and friend, Carol Goldman, who's

support and encouragement continually inspires me.

To my Rabbi, Larry Englander, who's spiritual  leadership continues to guide me.

 To the Land of Israel, whose history and

People continue to astonish me.

 

 



CONTENTS

 

 

OVERVIEW:               .....................................................................    1

 

CONTENTS:               ..................................................................      3

 

PREFACE:                  .....................................................................    4

 

PART ONE:                An Introduction to Oil Lamps                                   

 

 i.       A Personal Perspective                                                 7

 ii        Archaeological History                                                  14

 iii.      Early Pottery Explanations                                           16

 

PART TWO:   A Study-Outline of the Oil Lamp                            

 

 i.     Evolution and Development of the Oil Lamp                             18

 ii.     Archaeological Chronology                                                       19  

 iii.    Archaeological Period Description                                             20

         

PART THREE:             Chronology References  

           

 i.      Time-Chart Chronology of History and the Oil Lamp     23

 ii.     Time-Chart of Great Ancient Civilizations                      25

 

PART FOUR & FIVE:

A Catalogued Collection                                          

 

 i.      Oil Lamp Acquisition Sources                                       27

 ii.      Ancient Map of Israel                                                  34

           

Descriptions and Colour Plates

           

i.       Oil Lamp Descriptions by Archaeological Period                   35               ii       Oil Lamp Colour Plates by Period                                         46                 

 

APPENDICES:

 

 i.      Glossary of Terms                           70

 ii.     Excavation Schematic                     72

 iii.    Chart of Pottery Type Characteristics by Period        73

 iv.    Oil Lamp Dating Analysis                74

 v.    Bibliography                                    75                                                                                                                                      

 

Preface

While attending Shul (Synagogue), I often gaze around at the ritualistic objects and symbols that encircle me.  After the usual custom of placing my Tallit (prayer shawl) over my head and meditating for a brief moment, the first item that I usually see as I bring myself out from my thoughts is The Eternal Flame.  This is the light that hangs over the Aron Ha-Kodesh (The Holy Ark).  It seems that I've always been intrigued by the Ner Tamid; an ever burning light introduced in the sixteenth century as a special feature of the interior of a Synagogue.  It began from an idea that the lights of a Menorah; the seven branched Candelabra of early Temple days, were to be kindled continuously.  Now, when I attend other Synagogues, I pay particular attention to their different styles and designs of these hanging lights.

 

Jews sometime take for granted the lighting of the Shabbat candles (Sabbath) or the lighting of a Yortzeit candle (Memorial candle) without a reflective understanding of the rituals of such and their meaning along with the lamp's source and its manufacture.  We hardly consider the uniqueness of this object or think about its original use in ancient times, how it was conceived, how it looked, how it was made or even how it was used. 

 

This somewhat innocent experience with lamps perked my interest to learn more about this very old item that consequently led to an obsessive fascination and curiosity regarding the use and the history of ancient Jewish oil lamps and more specifically, to the study of Near Eastern archaeology. 

 

During an expedition to Israel in 1990 I acquired a lamp from a noted antiquities dealer in Jerusalem as a lasting memento.   The oil lamp was dated circa 1st"God's lamp is the human spirit!"

(Proverbs 27:20)

 

May my enjoyment with the intriguing world of Archaeology enlighten you also!

 

David A. Douglas

Toronto, July 1999      

 

 




 

PART 1