Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (18.2006(2008))

TELL LARAMA

EGYPT

PL 05/surface [Fig. 2]
Sector 1, surface.
Pale reddish fabric, unslipped. Mould -
made. Impressed eagle image on discus.
Circular dot marking place of handle.
Herringbone pattern on shoulders.
A frequent discus motif, the eagle was
commonly represented on Roman lamps
from Italy, as well as on provincial lamps
from contexts of various date. Examples
from the British Museum collection give
a clear idea of the different lamp types and
patterns widespread in the Mediterranean.
Almost the same eagle iconography
appears on Early Roman Loeschcke Type
IV from Cyprus (about 40-100 AD, Bailey
1988: Q 2414, 304, PI. 64) and a late
Broneer type XXIX lamp from Ephesus
(about 550-650 AD, Bailey 1988: Q 3177,
389, PI. 111).
No close analogy for the Pelusium
fragment has been identified. The type
appears to be a fairly common mould made
form with figurative discus surrounded by
a floral or geometric garland motif. The
nearest is probably a 3rd century AD lamp
from Cyprus (Bailey 1988: Q 2518, 311,
PI. 68).
Lamps with figural images on the
discus and a wreath or geometric pattern
on the shoulder are well known on
provincial, as well as Italian lamps (large
group of 3rd century AD lamps from
Italian workshops, Bailey 1980: Q 1386-
Q 1396, Pis 82-83, 366-368), but in all
these cases lamps of this form have a hand-
le. The Pelusium lamp has a rounded
button or rather a bruise instead of a hand-
le. A similar “semi-handle” is known from
a large group of local Egyptian, 3rd-4th
century AD lamps with palm motifs in the
decoration (Bailey 1988: Q 2188-Q 2196,
PI. 50, 264-265, all 3rd-to-4th century
AD; also from Karanis, from an early 2nd
to mid 3rd century AD context, Shier


Fig. 2. Fate Roman lamps from the theater area
(Photo and drawing 0. Wasilewska)

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