Phoenician oil lamps from the ancient shrine at Gorham’s Cave

Oil lamps are common items in ritualistic environments, being part of the grave goods found at necropolises. The finding of oil lamps in the ancient shrine at Gorham’s Cave is therefore not surprising, having fulfilled a double function – from the ritualistic to the more practical use of illuminating the dark cave.

Here we can see two examples of oil lamps. The first one is a simple handmade saucer lamp dating from between the 8th and 6th centuries BCE. Given that it has been preserved in one piece, it has not been possible to study the characteristics and composition of its clay to accurately establish its provenance but it is most likely a Tartessos production imitating oriental designs, although a possible Sardinian origin cannot be ruled out at this stage.

The second oil lamp is a double-pinched-nozzle saucer lamp with red varnish from Carthage and dated to between the latter half of the 8th and first half of the 7th centuries BCE, and its design is very typical of the period.