Two IDF reservists recently discovered a 1,500-year-old, well-preserved pottery oil lamp from the Byzantine period in the mud of a Gaza staging area. They handed it over to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), which awarded them with a certificate for good citizenship.

Reservists Natanel Melchior and Alon Segev from the 404th battalion of the 282nd Artillery Brigade were wandering in the field when they came upon a piece of pottery stuck upside down whose round shape attracted them. “It was covered in mud,” Melchior recalled. “I cleaned it, and after I realized that it might be something special, I called the Antiquities Authority.”
At the same time, Segev uploaded a photo of the lamp to Facebook, which aroused much interest. “The post gained momentum, and it received dozens of comments and hundreds of likes. People suggested various possibilities about what the artifact was used for, and many advised us to call the Antiquities Authority.”
These two IDF reservists made a remarkable discovery. (credit: ISRAEL ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY.)
These two IDF reservists made a remarkable discovery. (credit: ISRAEL ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY.)

What is a "sandal candle"?

According to Sara Tal, the IAA’s archaeologist in the Western Negev region, it is a pottery lamp from the Byzantine period known as a ‘sandal lamp.’ It was commonly used for light and made in a pattern typical of the lowland region and southern Israel near the Gaza Strip. Tal went to the soldiers, collected the lamp, and presented them with the certificate.

Soldiers are presented with a certificate to mark their discovery. (credit: ISRAEL ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY.)
Soldiers are presented with a certificate to mark their discovery. (credit: ISRAEL ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY.)

“The war has led to extraordinary situations – also on the archaeological front,” commented IAA director Eli Escuzido. “The Land of Israel, and in particular the surrounding area, is full of history and ancient findings, and we cooperate with the IDF to preserve them even in a war situation.
“I am happy that the ancient lamp also brought enlightenment to the soldiers, and I congratulate them for their vigilance and their show of good citizenship. I remind everyone that, in the event of finding an ancient artifact, it is important to leave it in place and call the IAA staffers to come and examine it so that our researchers will be able to extract as much information as possible from the find about the site where it was discovered.”