2. Background Information
• Oil lamps were one of the most common household items
of the ancient world.
• They were versatile and efficient--could be used indoors,
or outdoors, and lasted much longer than a candle.
• Ceramic oil lamps have been used throughout the
surrounding Mediterranean area since roughly 2000 B.C.
• Ceramic was the most common material oil lamps were
made of, but it is possible to find oil lamps made of
metal.
4. Lamp Wicks and Oils
• Oil lamp wicks were commonly made from plant
fibers or linens.
• They were fueled with vegetable oils, fish oils, plant
oils--especially olive oil, and in some cases even
animal fat was used as a burning resource.
5. How They Were Made
• During the earlier times, oil lamps were hand made, but they
eventually became a product of a 2 part mould.
• One part consisted of the top half and other the bottom half. In
places like Northern Africa, the moulds had "notches" that
aligned with one another when the pieces were dry to ensure the
perfect fit.
• Once the initial top and bottom pieces were dry, they were
removed and the holes for the wick and oil were pierced by hand.
• Lastly, decorations were added. These could range from scenes,
gods/goddesses, animals, humans, religious and non-religious
practices.
7. Different Kinds of Oil Lamps
• Volute-
• Wide discus
• Narrow shoulder
• No handle
• Elaborate decorations
• Volute lamps mostly came from
Italy during the Early Empire
period.
8. • African Red Slip (T.S. Clara)-
• Flat shoulders with a lot of decoration
• Small discus
• Handle
• Decorated in redish-orange glaze.
Usually depicted non-religious
scenes, Christian reliefs, or Jewish
reliefs
• Africa Red Slip lamps were exported
throughout the Empire, but made
during the 4th to 6th centuries A.D.
9. • Factory Lamps-
• Longer nozzle
• Undecorated discus
• 2 to 3 bumps on the shoulder
• Had stamp of its manufacturer on the
bottom
• Factory lamps were mass produced and
also exported throughout the empire
from Northern Italy and Southern Gaul
during the 1st and 3rd centuries A.D.
10. Oil Lamps Found at Sanisera
• Most commonly found lamps are usually African Red
Slip Ware, T.S. Clara, dating from the 4th to 6th
century A.D.
• The decorations mostly consist of Christian reliefs.