Expert: Ralph Salier - 12/10/2008

Question
Greetings!  Okay...I feel a bit foolish for even asking this question, but here it goes.  I have been running across these fascinating "artifacts" on ebay...namely these "ancient oil lamps" supposedly from the Holy Land area from around 100-400 AD.  Anyway, there are quite a few of them, and I have become fascinated with them.  I didn't think it were possible that such things would be so numerous, and so inexpensive (approximately 30$).  I thought such items would only be found in a museum.  There are other things as well...jugs, etc.  So, my question for you is, is it possible that such items are authentic, and if so, is there a way that I can determine if they are indeed authentic?  If it is possible, why are there so many of them available, and so inexpensive?  Thank you so much for your time...I appreciate you!
--April

Answer
Hi April,

I took a look at them on ebay.  Some may be authentic and others may be reproductions.  Why are there so many.  How many light bulbs do you have in your home?  These were the light bulbs of the time.  You read by them, sewed by them and did all of your work including cooking by them.  Homes did not have a lot of windows at the time.  So people had a lot of oil lamps.  I know that many are made for the tourist trade today and are made the same way with the same materials so it is hard to distinguish between a modern one and one made 2000 years or more ago.  These are found any time there is construction, road work, renovations, excavations etc... There are so many of them that museums nolonger view them as key artifacts and they sell them to raise funds for the maintenance of their more important artifacts.

Be very careful what you buy of this type on line, I would be willing to bet that they are modern reproductions.