TERRACOTTA OIL-LAMPS OF RHODIAPOLIS IN ANTALYA ARCHEOLOGY MUSEUM

Abstract

Terracotta oil-lamps, which were unearthed
during excavations at Rhodiapolis in 2006, 2007,
2009, and 2011 and recorded as inventory and study
items in Antalya Archeology Museum collection, were
studied in this article. There are nine terracotta oillamps belonging to Rhodiapolis in the museum. These
oil-lamps were examined in four categories under the
main title of the Hellenistic and Roman Periods. There
are three oil-lamps from the Hellenistic Period and six
oil-lamps from the Roman Period. The earliest oillamp dates back to the second half of the IIIrd century
and the IInd century B.C., the latest dates back to the
Vth-VIIth century A.D. Among the oil-lamps in the
artifact warehouse of the ancient city, Howland Type
37 C Variant and Broneer Type 15 oil-lamps which
date back to Vth-VIIth century A.D. are the majority
based on their numbers. The excavations in Rhodiapolis confirmed the ceramics production in the city by
the analysis results of the production wastes. Since
most of the oil-lamps examined are late period samples and that the production wastes recovered in the
ancient city especially belong to the late period, it suggests that Howland Type 37 C Variant and Broneer
Type 15 oil-lamps might have been produced in Rhodiapolis. However, our idea has not been proven for
the time being due to the absence of wastes of this type
of oil-lamp in the late period ceramic production
wastes. Excavations in the coming years will reveal data to support our suggestion.