Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced on Thursday that they had discovered a rare 1,700-year-old lamp bearing the symbol of a Jewish temple. in jerusalem.
According to reports christian postMichael Chernin, director of the excavation, spoke about the significance of the ancient artifact, which he called the Mount of Olives Lamp.
“The Jews were expelled from the city after the Roman Emperor Hadrian put down the Bar Kokba revolt in 135 AD. The lamps on the Mount of Olives are a symbol of the Jewish presence around Jerusalem from the 3rd to the 5th century AD. This is one of the few physical traces of this,” Chernin said. Said.
“The elaborate and artistic finish of the lamp, Found “It's completely finished, which makes it outstanding and very rare,” he continued.
According to Chernin, the discovery of ancient artifacts “especially surprisingHe acknowledged that there is “little evidence that Jewish settlements existed in and around Jerusalem during this period.”
IAA research archaeologist Benjamin Strchan concluded that the ancient lamps were of the “Beit Natif type, named after a production factory identified in the 1930s near Bet Shemesh, a town west of Jerusalem.” I attached it.
Strchan further away “Oil lamps with menorah decorations are extremely rare; Similar lamps of the Beit Nattif type are found only a few times. It's in the National Treasure Archive. The choice of symbols on the lamp is not by chance. this Interesting testimony related to Objects and beliefs used on a daily basis by the inhabitants of ancient Jerusalem. It seems so it is This lamp belonged to the Jews, who purchased it as a memorial to their religious affiliation and temple. ”
“It is clear that the lamp manufacturer has created a special lamp. lots of Taking time and effort to decorate,” he added.
In conclusion, Mr. Stokan said: The level of sophistication behind the manufacture of ancient lamps.
“The mold has been made Divided into two parts (upper and lower). To make a lamp, a potter presses clay into a mold and presses them together. Finally the ship firedand it might be useful. This method of manufacturing lamps in molds allows for sophisticated designssimilarly Add delicate and intricate decorations,” he said.
Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu, Israel's Minister of Cultural Heritage, praised the discovery of the ancient lamp and linked it to the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
“This unique oil lamp in an exciting way It bears the symbol of the Temple, connecting the light of the past to today's Hanukkah holiday, expressing the nation of Israel's deep and long-standing ties to its heritage and history. to Memories of the temple” Eliyahu said.
Photo credit: Emil Aladjem/Israel Antiquities Authority
