Oil Lamp

An oil lamp is a device used to produce continuous light for a period of time using an oil-based fuel source. Oil lamps function on a principle similar to candles, but instead of solid fuel they rely on liquid oils that are drawn upward through a wick and burned at the exposed end. The use of oil lamps dates back several thousand years and represents one of the earliest forms of artificial lighting developed by human societies. Although largely replaced by modern lighting technologies, oil lamps continue to be used today for religious rituals, cultural traditions, emergency lighting, and decorative or ambient purposes.
An oil lamp typically consists of a container or reservoir to hold the fuel, a wick made from fibrous material, and an opening or nozzle where the wick is exposed and ignited. As the wick burns, capillary action continuously draws liquid oil upward, sustaining the flame until the fuel is exhausted.

Historical Development

Oil lamps were widely used across ancient civilisations, including those of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, and China. Archaeological evidence indicates that simple stone or shell lamps were in use as early as the Paleolithic period, with more refined ceramic lamps appearing in the Neolithic era. Over time, oil lamps became increasingly sophisticated in both form and decoration, reflecting technological advances and cultural values.
In the ancient Mediterranean world, oil lamps were a common household item and a key source of indoor lighting. Olive oil was the predominant fuel, particularly in Greece and Rome, due to its availability and relatively clean-burning properties. Roman oil lamps, often made of terracotta or bronze, were mass-produced and decorated with religious, mythological, or everyday imagery.
From the late eighteenth century onward, traditional oil lamps underwent significant technological improvement. The invention of the Argand lamp around 1780 marked a major advancement. It used a cylindrical wick and a glass chimney to improve airflow and brightness, making it far more efficient than earlier designs. By the mid-nineteenth century, the Argand lamp and other oil-based lamps were gradually replaced by kerosene lamps, which used petroleum-derived fuel and produced a brighter, more reliable light.
In many rural and less industrialised regions, kerosene oil lamps remained in use well into the twentieth century, until electrification and the widespread availability of electric light bulbs made them largely obsolete.

Fuels Used in Oil Lamps

A wide range of fuels has been historically used in oil lamps, depending on local resources and technological development. Plant-based oils were among the earliest fuels and included olive oil, sesame oil, castor oil, flaxseed oil, and oils derived from nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and kukui nuts. These oils were particularly common in agricultural societies where plant cultivation was well established.
Animal-derived fuels were also widely used, especially in colder or coastal regions. These included butter, ghee, fish oil, shark liver oil, whale blubber, and seal oil. Such fuels were especially important in cultures with limited access to plant oils.
In the nineteenth century, alternative fuels such as camphene and burning fluid became popular. Camphene was made from purified turpentine, while burning fluid was a mixture of turpentine and alcohol. These fuels gained prominence as whale oil supplies declined but became less economical after increased taxation on alcohol during the American Civil War. Eventually, petroleum-based fuels such as kerosene, and later gas and electricity, supplanted them.
In modern times, oil lamps are rarely used for primary illumination, though some emergency lamps may use fuels such as propane or naphtha when electricity is unavailable.

Components and Structure

Traditional oil lamps, particularly those made of terracotta, consist of several identifiable components. The fuel chamber or reservoir holds the oil, while the pouring hole allows fuel to be added. Some lamps feature multiple pouring holes. The wick hole or nozzle holds the wick in place and directs the flame outward. In certain designs, grooves along the nozzle return excess oil to the reservoir.
Many lamps include a handle, often ring-shaped or crescent-shaped, to allow safe handling. Handleless lamps sometimes feature a small protrusion, or lug, which may assist in holding or hanging the lamp. The discus, a flat or slightly recessed upper surface, is often decorated and may contain inscriptions or imagery.
The average fuel capacity of a typical terracotta oil lamp is relatively small, sufficient to provide light for several hours depending on wick size and fuel type.

Typology of Ancient Oil Lamps

Oil lamps from the ancient Mediterranean world are often classified typologically based on form, decoration, and manufacturing technique. Major categories include:

• Potter’s wheel lamps, used in Greek and Egyptian contexts before the third century BCE, characterised by simplicity, wide pour holes, and minimal decoration.
• Volute lamps, produced mainly in Italy during the early Roman Empire, featuring scroll-like volutes near the nozzle and elaborate artistic imagery.
• High Imperial lamps, later Roman types with broader shoulders, smaller discus areas, and reduced ornamentation.
• Frog lamps, a regional Egyptian type decorated with the frog symbol associated with fertility.
• African Red Slip lamps, manufactured in North Africa and widely exported, often decorated with Christian or Jewish symbols.
• Slipper lamps, oval-shaped lamps found primarily in the Levant.
• Factory lamps, mass-produced in Roman workshops and stamped with maker’s marks, distributed throughout the Roman provinces.

These typologies are important for archaeological dating and cultural interpretation.

Religious and Symbolic Significance

Oil lamps have held deep symbolic meaning in many religious traditions. In Judaism, lamps are associated with wisdom, righteousness, and divine guidance. The menorah, a seven-branched oil lamp used in the Second Temple in Jerusalem, remains one of the most enduring symbols of Jewish identity and plays a central role in the festival of Chanukah.
In Christianity, oil lamps are frequently mentioned in the New Testament, most notably in the Parable of the Ten Virgins. In Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Catholic traditions, oil lamps are still used to illuminate altars, icons, and sanctuaries. The sanctuary lamp, traditionally fuelled by olive oil, is intended to burn continuously as a sign of sacred presence.
In Hinduism, oil lamps, commonly known as diyas, are integral to worship and ritual. They are used in temples and home shrines and play a central role in ceremonies such as aarti and puja. Lamps may have one or multiple wicks and are often made of brass or bronze. In South India, distinctive forms such as the nilavilakku and sculptural lamps depicting female figures are widely used, symbolising prosperity, purity, and divine light.