A group of Early Roman lamps from Chhîm, Lebanon: preliminary research on shapes, fabric and provenance

Abstract

The group of Early Roman oil lamps excavated during several research seasons in Chhîm constitute a significantly fragmented assemblage. Macroscopic analysis of fabrics, combined with typological study complemented by iconographic research where applicable, revealed similarities between studied objects and other lamp finds from the Levant. The characterised fabric shows the continuity of manufacture from the Hellenistic period and the connection with semi-fine ware. The collected data suggest the Phoenician coast as the potential place of manufacture.