Ancient Oil Lamp Discovery in Ancient Susya Illuminates Jewish Heritage

As part of their curriculum, students from Susya School participated in archaeological excavations at the site of ancient Susya. The educational digs are conducted in one of the residential homes of the ancient city. During the activity, the students uncovered an ancient oil lamp dating back 700 years, belonging to a resident of Susya from that era. Such lamps were used for lighting on Chanukah and Shabbat, as well as illuminating homes. It is known that at that time, wax candles were not commonly used.

At the site of ancient Susya, one can see a magnificent synagogue from the Talmudic period, residential houses, living caves, and even an escape cave. The area hosted a flourishing Jewish settlement from the Second Temple period until about 1,000 years ago.

Yochai Damari, head of the Hebron Hills Regional Council, under whose auspices the excavations are carried out, stated: "The archaeological site in Susya represents Jewish history in the land of the Bible. The lamp is incredibly moving, and its discovery just before Chanukah is amazing. We invest significant resources in our historical past for the education of our children and for the future of this beautiful region."

Ahiya Cohen-Taboor, head of the excavations, shared: "It was a truly exciting find. One of the children suddenly called out that they found something, and when they showed me the lamp, I realized we had a unique artifact. The lamp was found intact, which is a rather rare occurrence. The children can see with their own eyes how our ancestors lit lamps - on Chanukah, Shabbat, and special days."

Cohen-Taboor noted that "the lamp is dated to the last phase of life in ancient Susya, about 700 years ago. It was a period characterized by temporary living arrangements on the city's ruins."