Just ahead of Hanukkah, archaeologists working at the City of David National Park, which surrounds the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, have identified an oil lamp dating back 2,000 years to the Hasmonean period.
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The lamp was discovered during the excavation of an entire home located on the eastern slope of the park.
Oil was poured into the lamp via a hole in its top, and there is a second, smaller hole off one side through which the owners would thread a wick. The edge of the lamp is blackened, indicating that it had been used.
Dr. Philip Wakosowicz, director of the excavation, said, "Lamps like this one are not rare and are found in many digs, but it's definitely exciting to excavate a Hasmonean-era lamp in the City of David right before Hanukkah."
According to Wakosowicz, "The City of David excavation never stops yielding important finds, which testify to the long, rich history of the city and the region as a whole."
Oil lamps were historically used for everyday needs, such as lighting homes, but also for religious rites, such as Shabbat or Hanukkah candle-lighting. Lamps from different eras have different forms and characteristics, which can help researchers date buildings at archaeological digs.
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