Ancient oil lamp dating from the 4th century BC found in Jerusalem.

Recently, Israeli officials announced the discovery of an unusual oil lamp dating from the 4th century, just in time for Hanukkah.

in a Facebook post published Thursday. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) explains that the oil lamps, which date back to the late Roman Empire, It was discovered during recent excavations. This is near the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

The artifact appears to be a reference to the second temple. Although it was built more than 200 years after the temple was destroyed in 70 AD, archaeologists discovered drawings of incense shovels, incense sticks and lulav, a date palm leaf used to celebrate Sukkot. which is carved on the lamp.

“The exquisite work of art of the lamp which was found to be complete This makes the lamp unique and extremely rare,” Michael Chernin, director of the IAA’s excavations, said in a statement. “The menorah, incense shovel and lulav are symbols associated with Jewish connections. with the temple”

Artifact with strange inscription unearthed at holy site in Jerusalem: ‘unusual place’

The approximately 1,700 year old oil lamp dates to the 4th century. (Israeli Antiquities Authority)

The light bulb still has soot marks from its last use nearly two thousand years ago.

“This unique discovery which is judged by the soot marks on the injector It was used to start fires some 1,700 years ago, revealing a stunning picture of Jewish cultural and religious life during this period,” the IAA said.

Archaeologists have discovered one of the oldest Christian churches in the world.

The lamp was found near the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem. (Israeli Antiquities Authority)

During the late Roman Empire Christianity became a popular religion. and Roman polytheism was largely abandoned. There are still many Jews in Israel. where they faced persecution by the Romans

Chernin added that the oil lamps It is “particularly surprising” because little is known about the Jews who lived in Jerusalem in the fourth century.

“After the Roman Emperor Hadrian suppressed Bar Kokhba’s rebellion in 135 AD, the Jews were expelled from the city,” the historian explains. “The Mount of Olives Lamp is one of the few material traces of the Jewish presence around. Jerusalem in the 3rd-5th centuries BCE”

Click here to subscribe to our lifestyle newsletter.

This discovery It was “very surprising” given the difficulty of 4th century Jewish relics near the Mount of Olives. The official said (Israel Antiquities Authority)

Benjamin Storchan, a research archaeologist at the IAA, said the craftsmen who created the lamps “A lot of time and effort was put into decorating the lanterns.”

“The lamp was created using a limestone mold that was carefully and intricately carved using a drill and chisel,” Storchan said. “The mold was created in two parts. upper and lower parts to make a lantern The potter pressed the clay into the mold. Then we pressed them together.”

For more lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle.

Storchan also said the lamp likely belonged to a Jew. “It was purchased because of its religious affiliation and as a memorial to the temple.”

The lamps display important religious details such as menorahs and lulavs. (Israeli Antiquities Authority)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The lamp is on public display at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Archaeological Campus. newly built in Jerusalem It will be open to the public through the Festival of Lights.