Bronze Oil Lamp from the Third Century

The Bronze Oil Lamp from the Third Century is an archaeological artifact made of bronze, dating back to the third century. It was used for lighting and was discovered in the archaeological Qaryat al-Faw, located southeast of‏ Wadi ad-Dawasir in Riyadh Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The bronze oil lamp has a lid with a small perforated handle. Its handle consists of two arms attached to the lamp's shoulder, extending outward and then curving upward, resembling a scorpion’s fork. The lamp is decorated with prominent circular patterns on the top and features a prominent ring-shaped base that rests on a separate round base, which is also adorned with prominent circular patterns.

Length: Fourteen cm.

Lid diameter: Three cm.

Lamp height: 2.5 cm.

Lid height: 1.5 cm.

Separate base diameter: 7.5 cm.

The bronze oil lamp is preserved in the Museum of the Department of Archaeology at King Saud University in Riyadh and is registered under number 15 F 13. It was selected as part of a diverse collection of archaeological discoveries from Saudi Arabia to participate in the Saudi Archeological Masterpieces Through the Ages Exhibition. The discovery of this oil lamp is among the results of archaeological survey and excavation efforts conducted by the antiquities and museums sector in Saudi Arabia over the years, as well as the findings of Saudi archaeologists and scientific expeditions.

This bronze oil lamp was crafted with a high level of quality, reflecting the skill and artistic depth of the artisans of Qaryat al-Faw during the pre-Islamic period. It also demonstrates a cultural connection between ancient societies in the Arabian Peninsula and their contemporaries in the Mediterranean Basin, particularly the Roman civilization.