clay lamps
Ancient terracotta illuminators
Clay lamps are simple oil-burning lights made from fired clay, consisting of a small vessel for oil and a spout or hole for a wick.
They were the primary source of artificial light in ancient civilizations across the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Asia.
Archaeological sites yield them by the thousands: The excavation uncovered dozens of Roman clay lamps.
The term also applies to traditional lamps still used in religious ceremonies, particularly the diyas lit during Diwali.
- terracottaFired reddish-brown ceramic
- wickFuel-drawing cord
- oilSlippery viscous fluid
- flameBurning gas made visible
- ancientVery old indeed
pottery · glow · Diwali · festival lights · flickering · soft glow · warm light · ceramic · handmade · votive · temple · temple offering · ritual · earthen · kiln · Greek · Roman · archaeological
- DiwaliLakshmi, firecrackers, lights, puja, crackers
- historical lightingcandles, lanterns, gaslight, candlelight, tallow candles
- oil lampswicks, lampstands
- Biblical archaeologyDead Sea Scrolls, Masada, Jericho, ossuaries, ancient scrolls
- terracottaterracotta tiles, flower pots, flowerpots, Terracotta Warriors, terracotta pot
- Chhath Pujasoop, four days, dawn prayers, fruit offerings, sunrise
clay lampselectric lights
Current-powered illumination fixtures
smart lighting · fluorescent lights · neon lights · halogen lamps · incandescent bulbs