Unique 1,700-year-old lamp with Second Temple symbolism found in Jerusalem

Lamp from the Mount of Olives. Photo: santosepulcro.co.il

Israeli archaeologists have discovered a unique 1,700-year-old ceramic oil lamp near the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, featuring Second Temple symbolism, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority.

The excavation director, archaeologist M. Chernin, referred to the artifact as the "Mount of Olives lamp" and emphasized its historical significance.

"After Roman Emperor Hadrian suppressed the Bar Kokhba revolt in 135 CE, Jews were expelled from Jerusalem. This lamp is one of the few surviving material testimonies of Jewish presence in the city's surroundings during the 3rd–5th centuries," Chernin explained.

The archaeologist noted that the lamp is exceptionally well-preserved and features intricate artistic craftsmanship, making it "an extraordinarily rare find."

Senior researcher at the Israel Antiquities Authority, Binyamin Storchan, linked the lamp to the ancient "Beit Nattif" style, named after a pottery workshop discovered in the 1930s near Beit Shemesh.

"Oil lamps depicting a menorah are extremely rare. Only a few such 'Beit Nattif' type specimens are preserved in the national archives," he clarified.

According to Storchan, the selection of symbols on the lamp reflects the religious beliefs and everyday life of ancient Jerusalem’s residents. The owner was likely a Jew who acquired it due to its connection to the Second Temple.

"The creator of the lamp put great effort into its design. The potter used two molds for the upper and lower sections, joined them together, and then fired the finished piece. This technique allowed for refined designs and intricate ornamentation," the researcher added.

Israel’s Minister for Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage, Amichai Eliyahu, linked the discovery to the Hanukkah holiday.

"This lamp, bearing Second Temple symbolism, connects our past with the present holiday and demonstrates the deep bond between the people of Israel and their heritage," he stated.

Israeli archaeologists also reported the discovery of another ancient oil lamp, dating back to the 4th–6th centuries, in Tzipori National Park in northern Galilee. These sites are significant to both Jewish history and early Christianity.

Previously, the UOJ reported that archaeologists had discovered a 1,600-year-old early Christian church in Egypt.

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