Lamp of steatite

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This steatite lamp was found at Everley Broch in Caithness. It was used to provide light inside the broch sometime between 200 BC and 400 AD.

The simple lamp has an incised line below the rim. The handle is largely missing.

Steatite was an ideal stone for making lamps. It was easy to carve, and did not crack with heat. The lamp would have been filled with oil on which a wick floated.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-037-960-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GA 698
• Date: Between 200 BC and 400 AD
  
• Material: Stone; remnant of handle; incised line below rim
  Lamp
  
• Dimensions: 4.50" D x 1.63" deep
  
• What: Lamp
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Caithness, Everley (Broch)
  
• Event:
• Description: Steatite lamp from Everley Broch, Caithness
  
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