Archaeologists Discover Rare Lamp with Temple Symbols in Jerusalem

"After the Roman Emperor Hadrian suppressed the Bar Kockba rebellion in 135 C.E., Jews were expelled from the city. The Mount of Olives lamp is one of the few material traces of a Jewish presence around Jerusalem in the third to fifth centuries C.E.," Chernin said.

"The exquisite artistic workmanship of the lamp, which was found complete, makes it outstanding and extremely rare," he continued.

According to Chernin, the discovery of the ancient artifact is "particularly surprising," acknowledging that there is "very little evidence of the existence of a Jewish settlement in and around Jerusalem from this period."

Benjamin Storchan, an IAA research archaeologist, concluded that the ancient lamp is of "the 'Beit Nattif' type, named after a production workshop identified in the 1930s near Bet Shemesh," a town west of Jerusalem.

Storchan further explained that "oil lamps with menorah decorations are exceedingly rare, and only a few similar Beit Nattif-type lamps can be found in the National Treasures archive. The choice of symbols on the lamp is not accidental. This is a fascinating testimony connecting everyday objects and faiths among ancient Jerusalem's inhabitants. It seems that the lamp belonged to a Jew, who purchased it because of its religious affiliation and memorial to the Temple."

"It is evident that the lamp maker dedicated a great deal of time and effort to its decoration," he added.

In closing, Storchan noted the level of refinement behind the production of the ancient lamp.

"The molds were made in two parts (upper and lower). To create the lamp, the potter pressed the clay into the molds and then pressed them together. Finally, the vessel was fired, and it could be used. This method of producing lamps in molds allowed for refined designs, as well as the addition of delicate and intricate decorations," he said.

Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu, the Israeli Heritage Minister, praised the finding of the ancient lamp and connected it to the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah.

"This unique oil lamp, which in an exciting manner bears the symbols of the Temple, connects the lights of the past with the Hannukah holiday of today and expresses the deep and long-standing connection of the nation of Israel to its heritage and to the Temple's memory," Eliyahu stated.

Photo Credit: Emil Aladjem/Israel Antiquities Authority

Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.