Unique Roman mask lamps found in the Netherlands – History

A unique Roman oil lamp was found in Cuijk, Netherlands. It dates back to the 2nd century AD and is in good condition.

The lamp is carefully decorated with plant patterns, and large acanthus leaves with large headdresses pop out of scallop shells, eyes widened, and even wider masks. The side of the face is made of curly hair, which may be two small animals’ ears. His nose and heavy brows suggest that this might be a wolf mask. The mouth serves as a filling hole for the lamp. The edge of the “neck” under it (actually the nozzle of the lamp) is narrow and then expands again around the light hole.

Inspired by expressive masks in Greek theaters, dramatic masks are common decorative patterns in architecture, art, tombstones and even oil lamps (such as oil lamps). The lamps with mask patterns are well known in the Roman world, and when placed in the graves of the dead, they play a symbolic role, namely, to illuminate the way to the underworld. However, this example is exceptionally detailed, with its gorgeous decoration and detailed relief integrated into the shape of the lamp itself. The more typical masked lamp has a lamp or actor and mask to release onto the discus of the lamp (a round top around the fill hole).

It was found in excavations that proved to be the largest Roman cemetery in North Brabant. Only 15% of the cemetery has been explored, and so far 85 graves have been unearthed, many of which contain a large number of commodities, including treated water jugs, clay panels, glass bottles and jewelry. The red plate is Terra Sigillata, also known as Samian Ware, a fine pottery, flossed in Gaul with iron-rich clay. The unclustered white ship is only Germanic.

Square pits are on the ground, some of which have fine black stains. Archaeologists have discovered a large amount of pottery, and evidence shows that while the corpse is burning, the mourner throws the offerings and the offerings in the jar into the fire. The pottery explodes from the heat and the organic product is consumed.

The modern town of Cuijk is a Roman settlement in ancient Ceuclum. The large amount of pottery found in the cemetery confirmed that the population could have extensive access to consumer goods imported from other parts of the Roman Empire.

The video captures the moment of discovery and how lights are becoming more and more complex when archaeologists brush off the dirt.