An ancient oil lamp, dating back to the fourth century, was found in Jerusalem

Israeli officials recently announced the discovery of a rare fourth-century oil lamp, just in time for Hanukkah.

In a Facebook post published on Thursday, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) explained that an oil lamp, dating back to the Late Roman Empire, was discovered during recent excavations near the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

The artifact appears to refer to the Second Temple, although it was made more than 200 years after the destruction of the temple in 70 AD Archaeologists found images of a incense shovel, a menorah and a lulav, a date tree leaf used to celebrate Sukkot, carved on the sea. the lamp.

“The fine craftsmanship of the lamp, found intact, makes it outstanding and rare,” IAA Director of Excavations Michael Chernin said in a statement. “The menorah, the censer and the lav are symbols associated with the Jewish connection to the Temple.”

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The lamp also bears signs of help from the last time it was used, about two thousand years ago.

“This unique find, which, judging by the marks of the crucible on its mouth, was used for lighting some 1,700 years ago, provides a fascinating insight into Jewish cultural and religious life at this time,” the IAA said.

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The lamp was found near the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem. (Israel Antiquities Authority)

During the Later Roman Empire, Christianity became the popular religion, and Roman idolatry was largely abandoned. There was still a large number of Jews in Israel, where they were being persecuted by the Romans.

Chernin added that the oil lamp was “especially surprising” because so little is known about the Jews who lived in Jerusalem in the fourth century.

“After the Roman emperor Hadrian suppressed the rebellion of Bar Kokhba in 135 CE, the Jews were expelled from that city,” explained the historian. “The lamp on the Mount of Olives is one of the few visible traces of Jewish presence around Jerusalem in the 3rd-5th centuries CE.”

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The discovery was “particularly surprising” because fourth-century Jews are hard to find near the Mount of Olives, officials said. (Israel Antiquities Authority)

IAA Research Archaeologist Benjamin Storchan said the artist who created the lamp “put a lot of time and effort into its decoration.”

“The lamp is made using a limestone mold that is intricately carved using holes and chisels,” notes Storchan. “Potters are made of two parts, top and bottom. To make a lamp, the potter pressed the clay into the mold, and then it was pressed together.”

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Storchan also said that the lamp may have belonged to a Jew “who bought it because of his religion and the memory of the Temple.”

The lamp shows important religious details, such as the menorah and the lulav. (Israel Antiquities Authority)

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The lamp is on public display at the new Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for Archeology in Jerusalem, where it will be open to the public during the Festival of Lights.