While excavating a large Roman cemetery in the Netherlands, archaeologists discovered an unusual oil lamp that could portray the ancient god of wine.
The “filling hole” that was poured into oil appears to be a comically large, open mouth on a person’s face, but the handle above the face resembles a flashy leaf.
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Van Kampen and a team of archaeologists discovered the ramp last month in an ongoing excavation of a Roman cemetery in the modern Dutch town of Kuik, near the German border. During the Roman period, from about 50 BC to 400 AD, the town was known as Ceuclum, and was home to the Germanic tribes, known by Julius Caesar as Batabi.
Today, most of the cemetery is covered with buildings and roads, Van Kampen said, but it extends at least 15 acres (6 hectares). “The density of the grave is much higher than suspected,” he said.
Archaeologists have discovered an oil lamp in one of about 70 graves already excavated. The lamp, which dates back to the second century advertising, was discovered along with four ceramic plates, two jugs, cups, glass bowls and bronze bowls.
According to Van Kampen, the dishes in the tomb probably contained food and drinks. “This lamp is part of this set and should be considered an object that provides light on a journey into the afterlife,” he said.
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Archaeologists have cleaned the lamps, but are still debating the meaning of decoration. “Some people think they might portray Bacchus,” said Van Kampen, the ancient god of wine and doraku, but “probably an actor’s mask.”
Comedy and tragedy masks are famous symbols of performing arts and return to ancient Greece. Actors wear masks to emphasize their expression and change characters as needed. The mask was also associated with Bacchus (Dionysus or Dionysus of Greek mythology), the god of wine and patronage of theatre art, as his followers often wore him.
So far, only a small portion of the Ceuclum Cemetery has been excavated. Archaeologists hope to find more Roman artifacts and even more rich tombs.
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