History (Archaeology) Ancient Oil Lamps History Archaeology Read a brief overview of ancient oil lamps. Then make an authentic reproduction of an oil lamp. In this e-guide you will: *Read about Ancient Oil Lamps *Recreate an Ancient Oil Lamp Ancient Oil Lamps ENRICHMENT4YOU Published by Henrich Incorporated Copyright 2006 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without first obtaining the written permission of the copyright owner.
ABOUT THIS ENRICHMENT GUIDE This enrichment guide is designed to give you a short but interesting overview of the ancient oil lamps. This Enrichment4You e-guide is divided into two fun sections for you to explore: 1. Overview of Ancient Oil Lamps - Pages 1-3. 2. Make a Reproduction of an Ancient Oil Lamp - Pages 4-16.
A brief history DID YOU KNOW??? The ancient Greeks were one of the first civilizations to perfect the lamp. The used black and green glazes to seal the clays surface to help prevent the oil from permeating the clays body. The need to light ones surroundings has been a need of humans for thousands of years. One of the first inventions was the oil lamp. From seashells to terra-cotta containers to ones made of metal, oil lamps served not only a means to provide light, but also served as decorations in homes, temples, public buildings and to lights ones way along a dark path. One of the simplest forms of oil lamps was the terracotta or pottery lamps. Initially, these lamps looked similar to shallow bowls with lips. Various vegetable and animal oils were used as fuel, but the most common was olive oil. Wicks were commonly made from readily available materials such as flax or strips of cloth. 1
A brief history Over time, terra-cotta lamps went from the open bowl shape to ones which held the oil inside an enclosed cavity. Skilled potters would form the lamps on a wheel and then attach a simple spout and handle. Since the oil could permeate unglazed earthenware, the potters soon began to seal the pottery with a glaze. As the demand for lamps increased, so did the need to mass produce them. Since clay was a readily available material which could also be molded, skilled artistans began to make molded lamps. Early molds were made from clay that was then fired, stone such as limestone, and even plaster. These early molded lamps were pressed by hand into the molds cavity. DID YOU KNOW??? Early Christian lamps were different from earlier Jewish lamps in that they did have images of animals and people as part of the decorations. Each part of the mold was then assembled and pieces such as the handle were added with small amounts of additional clay. The molded lamps were then set aside to dry. They were then placed into kilns for firing. Plaster molds were made by coating a previously made clay lamp to form a two part mold. After the plaster had harden, it was separated and the master lamp was removed. Additional decorative details were carved into the hardened plaster. Clay was then pressed into the plaster mold, removed and then fired. 2
A brief history DID YOU KNOW??? Many of the lamps made in the ancient world, especially those of Greece and Rome included images of animals and people. This was not true of the lamps used by the Israelis who considered any depiction of animals or humans inappropriate. Two types of lamps made by the Jewish people were the Herodian lamp and the Darom lamp. Designs on these lamps ranged from geometric to stylized plants such as the pomegranate or palm tree. Lamps were a necessity in the ancient world. Since literally everyone needed lamps, lamp factories often sprung up in large population centers. These lamp factories mass produced lamps and identified their work by stamping a trademark on the lamp. Oil lamps in the ancient world used edible oils for fuel and in particular olive oil was the primary fuel of choice. The ancient Roman also were known to have added salt to the olive oil to help prevent the oil from becoming too hot. Even fish oil was used as a fuel. Wicks were made from a variety of materials including papyrus, linen, and mullein. Thought that any oil that was plentiful and not required for other purposes was used for fuel in lamps. If fish oil was abundant, then fish oil was used, or if an area had olive oil, then olive oil was used. The oils used were almost always edible. 3
Make a Reproduction of an Ancient Oil Lamp by Jean Henrich c2006 Henrich Inc. A glowing flame offers a sense of simplicity and for some reason a wonderful experience that goes beyond what one experiences when using electric lights. Oil lamps are a mini excursion to past times. In this activity, you will learn how to recreate an authentic reproduction of an ancient oil lamp from very easy to find and inexpensive materials. MATERIALS: TM *PLAID FolkArt Acrylic paint - terra-cotta, burnt umber, black *Paintbrush TM *Original Sculpey Polymer Clay TM *Liquid Sculpey Polymer clay *Two small terra-cotta saucers *Terra-cotta sealer *Glue for terra-cotta or ceramics *Hand drill - ADULT SUPERVISION RE- QUIRED *Rasps - ADULT SUPERVISION REQUIRED *Matches - ADULT SUPERVISION REQUIRED *Oven - ADULT SUPERVISION REQUIRED *Small tile *Wicking material - cotton, linen, braiding *Fuel - vegetable oil - olive, canola, corn, etc. *1/4 or 1/2 dowel *Aluminum foil 4