TEL AVIV (Bernama-dpa): Archaeologists have discovered an ancient oil lamp dating back around 1,700 years during excavations in Jerusalem, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Thursday, according to German news agency dpa.
"The exquisite artistic workmanship of the lamp, which was found complete, makes it an outstanding and extremely rare,” said archaeologist and excavation director Michael Chernin.
The ancient ceramic artefact from the late Roman period is decorated with a menorah and other Jewish symbols, the authority said in a statement. This provides a "fascinating glimpse into Jewish culture and religious life at that time", it said.
The lamp is to be featured at an exhibition in Jerusalem during the Jewish festival of lights, Hanukkah, which began on Wednesday evening.
The lamp discovery was made during excavations on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, the statement noted. Traces of soot on the spout indicated that the vessel had been used for lighting some 1,700 years ago. - Bernama-dpa
