Lamp

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This iron hanging lamp was found during excavations at the site of the baths in the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. It was used sometime between 80 and 180 AD.

The shape of the lamp resembles a crusie, a type of lamp which was used in Scotland into the 20th century. It has an iron pan which held oil. The iron stem rises and is attached to a swivel. The long rod attaching to the end of the swivel is broken.

The Romans used oil lamps, candles and lanterns to provide lighting inside. Most surviving oil lamps are pottery, although metal examples are also known. Some metal lamps, like this one, were made to be suspended.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-037-280-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 1108
• Date: Between 80 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Iron
  Lamp, hanging
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Lamp, hanging
  
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Iron hanging lamp from Newstead
  
• References:
  • Curle, J. A Roman frontier post and its people: the fort of Newstead. Glasgow: MacLehose, 1911, p 307, PL. LXXIX, 6. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: