Lamp

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This earthenware lamp was found at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. The bowl of the lamp was filled from the hole at the top with oil, and a wick was inserted through the nozzle. It was used sometime between 80 and 180 AD.

The top of the simple, undecorated lamp has a circular depression with defined lip, into which a roughly circular hole has been cut. A groove links the top hole and the nozzle.

The Romans used oil lamps, candles and lanterns to provide lighting inside. Most surviving oil lamps are pottery, some with decoration on top. They are not common finds in Britain; perhaps the cost of importing oil was too great.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-485-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 1110
• Date: 80 - 180 AD
  Between 80 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Earthenware
  
• Dimensions:
• What:
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Earthenware lamp from the Roman site at Newstead, 80 - 180 AD
  
• References:
  • Curle, J. A Roman frontier post and its people: the fort of Newstead. Glasgow: MacLehose, 1911, p 306, Pl. LXXIX, 8. 
• Translations:
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