Ancient oil lamp

Description:	For thousands of years, artificial light had been used in homes, temples, and other places of importance. The earliest oil lamps were seashells, used in ancient Mesopotamia. The lamp was filled with olive oil or whatever oil was plentiful such as animal fat or vegetable oils. The wick was immersed in the oil and draped or supported on the side of the lamp and then lit. Gradually, lamps developed a pinched, narrower or enclosed spout to support the wick as well as other characteristics, such as handles and multiple spouts.
Source:	http://www.digitalindy.org/cdm/ref/collection/tcm/id/708
Collection:	The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Rights:	https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/;
Copyright:	Creative Commons (CC By-SA 3.0);
Subjects:	Mesopotamia Mesopotamia -- Antiquities Lamps Iraq Iraq -- History Iraq--Antiquities Iraq--Civilization--To 634

Further information on this record can be found at its source.