Let There Be Light: Oil Lamps from the Holy Land

Oil lamps existed in ancient times for both ritual and everyday use and were, for thousands of years, the only means of light when darkness fell. Accompanying an exhibition at the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem in 2004-2005, this book begins with a short discussion by Amit Assis of more than 3,00 years of their use, significance, context and features. He examines their practical ise in providing light, technological and structural features and their symbolism in mediating between light and dark, life and death. The catalogue entries include a photograph of each example and information on date, size and a description of the lamp itself and its decoration. Although a few lamps from the Bronze and Iron Ages are included, most examples are from the 1st century AD to the beginning of Islam.