Brooke Martin
The history of oil lamps and candles is a long and fascinating one, with both inventions playing a crucial role in illuminating our world for centuries. The first known oil lamps date back to ancient times, around 15,000 BC, and were made from soapstone, pottery, or seashells. Animal fat or vegetable oil fueled these early lamps, providing flickering light but also producing a lot of smoke and soot. Candles, on the other hand, were made from tallow, rendered and purified animal fat, and have been used for lighting for nearly 2,000 years. With the invention of the incandescent light bulb in the late 19th century, both oil lamps and candles began to be replaced by electric lighting as the primary source of illumination. However, even after electrification, oil lamps and candles continued to be used, especially in rural areas and for religious ceremonies.
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What You'll Learn
- Oil lamps were first used around 70,000 BC, candles came later
- Oil lamps were made from shells, rocks, or clay; candles are waxed wick
- Oil lamps used animal fat, vegetable oil, or olive oil; candles use tallow
- Oil lamps were used in religious rituals; candles are used in rituals too
- Oil lamps were replaced by kerosene lamps in the 19th century; candles also replaced
Oil lamps were first used around 70,000 BC, candles came later
Oil lamps were first used around 70,000 BC, with early humans using shells, hollow rocks, or any non-flammable material as a container. Moss soaked in animal fat was placed inside and ignited, producing a flame. Over time, the materials used to make oil lamps evolved, with the first oil lamps made from manmade materials discovered in Egypt, Greece, and Rome. These early lamps were made from terracotta, bronze, stone, and alabaster and were likely the first mass-produced objects in history. They were easier and safer to carry than torches, reusable, and produced less residue than candles.
The design of oil lamps also evolved, progressing from an open dish to a closed design with a spout for a wick. Ancient Egyptian oil lamps, known as Egyptian saucers, used linen wicks soaked in animal fat or vegetable oils. Greek and Roman oil lamps featured clay moulds with a central filling hole, a handle, and a spout. These designs contributed to the spread of civilization and were used in religious rituals. For example, the Ancient Egyptians lit thousands of oil lamps in temples, homes, and public places during the Liknokaia ceremony honouring the goddess Naiff.
Oil lamps continued to be a primary source of illumination until the late 19th century when the invention of the incandescent light bulb led to electric lighting rapidly replacing oil lamps. However, oil lamps remained in use in some rural areas well into the 20th century until electrification became more widespread. Today, oil lamps are still used in religious ceremonies and as ambient lighting.
Candles, on the other hand, came into use later than oil lamps. Tallow, which is rendered and purified animal fat, was initially burned in lamps but was later used for candle-making for nearly 2,000 years. By the 1800s, candles were a common source of illumination, but they were more expensive than oil lamps. The transition from candles and oil lamps to gas lighting and eventually electric lighting was driven by the need for cheaper and more efficient lighting solutions.
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Oil lamps were made from shells, rocks, or clay; candles are waxed wick
Oil lamps and candles have been used as sources of light for thousands of years. The use of oil lamps began in the Palaeolithic era, with some of the earliest lamps being stones with depressions in which animal fats were burned for light. Curved stone lamps have been found in places dated to the 10th millennium BC (Mesolithic, Middle Stone Age Period, c. 10,300–8000 BC). Archaeologists have also found evidence of shell lamps that existed more than 6,000 years ago. Clay lamps appeared during the Bronze Age, around the 16th century BC, and were common throughout the Roman Empire.
Candles, on the other hand, are made of waxed wicks. While the exact origin of candles is unknown, it is believed that early humans used animal fats and grease as a source of light. Tallow, which is rendered and purified animal fat, has been used for lighting since early Egyptian civilization and was later used for candle-making for nearly 2,000 years.
Oil lamps and candles were used interchangeably for many centuries, with oil lamps being preferred in some cultures due to their portability and use in sacred settings. In the 18th and 19th centuries, however, the development of the Argand lamp and the kerosene lamp, respectively, revolutionized lighting and replaced the use of traditional oil lamps.
The evolution of lighting continued with the discovery of coal gas in the 19th century, which led to the establishment of gas companies and the widespread use of gas lighting in urban areas. This marked a shift away from oil lamps and candles as primary sources of light, towards more efficient and cost-effective lighting solutions.
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Oil lamps used animal fat, vegetable oil, or olive oil; candles use tallow
Oil lamps have been used for thousands of years, with some archaeologists claiming that the first shell-lamps existed over 6,000 years ago. The use of oil lamps continues to this day, although they are less common now that we have electricity. Oil lamps can burn a variety of fuels, including lamp oil (or paraffin oil/kerosene), vegetable oils, animal fats, and used cooking oil. Vegetable oils that can be used include olive oil, coconut oil, and canola oil. Animal fats such as lard or tallow can also be used, although they may be more difficult to work with due to their higher melting point.
The first manufactured red pottery oil lamps appeared in the Chalcolithic and were of the round bowl type. Bronze Age lamps were simple wheel-made bowls with a slight pinch on four sides for the wick. Later lamps had only one pinch. The four-spout design, which provided sufficient light when fueled with fish or animal oils, evolved into the four-wick oil lamp. However, most lamps now have only one wick.
Candles, on the other hand, typically use tallow, which is rendered and purified animal fat. Tallow has been used for lighting since early Egyptian civilization and was used for candle-making for nearly 2,000 years. Candles were often more expensive than oil lamps, which could be fueled with spare oil or grease that people had in their homes.
In the 19th century, coal gas lighting became a mature industry in Europe, England, and the United States, providing a cheaper alternative to lighting by oil or candles. This eventually led to the development of electric lighting, which further reduced the use of oil lamps and candles.
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Oil lamps were used in religious rituals; candles are used in rituals too
Oil lamps have been used in various religious rituals and ceremonies for thousands of years. In Judaism, the oil lamp is an important ritualistic article, with the Temple Menorah, a ritual seven-branched oil lamp, forming the centre of the Chanukah story. Oil lamps are also used in the Hindu ritual of Aarti, as well as in the Shodashopachar Puja, where the presence of an oil lamp is considered essential. In South India, several types of oil lamps are used in temples and traditional rituals, often with depictions of Hindu deities.
Oil lamps were also used in Roman pagan culture for religious and military processions, as well as in ancient Mediterranean cultures, where they were placed in burial chambers. The oldest stone-oil lamp was discovered in a cave in Lascaux, France, and is believed to be over 10,000 years old. Curved stone lamps found in Mesolithic sites suggest that oil lamps may have been used as early as the 10th millennium BC.
Candles are also used in a variety of religious rituals and have a long history in the Catholic Church, where they are lit as a symbol of Christ, the light of the world. Candles are used in Catholic rituals such as Mass, liturgical processions, evening prayer ceremonies, and funeral processions. In Judaism, candles are lit for Shabbat and Havdalah, as well as for the Festival of Lights or Hanukkah. In Buddhism, candles are placed before Buddhist shrines or images of the Buddha as a sign of respect and to represent the light of the Buddha's teachings.
Both oil lamps and candles have been used as sources of artificial light and have been incorporated into religious rituals across different cultures and traditions. While oil lamps may have a longer history, dating back to ancient times, candles have also been used for religious purposes for centuries and continue to play an important role in various faiths today.
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Oil lamps were replaced by kerosene lamps in the 19th century; candles also replaced
Oil lamps and candles have been the mainstays of artificial lighting for many centuries. The use of oil lamps began thousands of years ago and continues to this day, although their use is less common in modern times. The earliest Chinese oil lamps date back to the Warring States period (481–221 BC). Curved stone lamps were found in places dated to the 10th millennium BC (Middle Stone Age Period, c. 10,300–8000 BC). The first manufactured red pottery oil lamps appeared in the Chalcolithic period and were of the round bowl type.
In the 19th century, oil lamps were replaced by kerosene lamps, which were safer and more efficient. Kerosene is a mineral oil derived from distilled coal. It has a higher flashing point than other oils, making it less volatile and dangerous. The use of kerosene lamps became widespread in the 1850s, with the development of more effective distillation and purification processes by Joshua Merrill. The "Dietz burner", developed by Michael Dietz in 1868, became a worldwide standard.
Candles were also used for lighting for thousands of years, with tallow candles made from animal fat being particularly common. In the 19th century, candles were replaced by more efficient lighting sources such as kerosene lamps and coal gas lighting. Coal gas lighting was introduced in the early 19th century and rapidly grew in popularity due to its low cost. By the mid-19th century, gas lighting had become a mature industry in Europe, England, and the United States.
The evolution of lighting technology continued with the development of electric lights, which eventually replaced oil lamps and candles as the primary source of artificial lighting. However, oil lamps and candles are still used in some parts of the world, especially in rural areas that lack access to electricity.
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Frequently asked questions
The oil lamp. Early humans are believed to have used oil lamps around 70,000 B.C. They would use shells, hollow rocks, or any non-flammable material as a container, with moss soaked in animal fat as fuel. Candles, on the other hand, were first made with tallow, which is rendered and purified animal fat, and have been used for lighting for nearly 2,000 years.
The first manufactured red pottery oil lamps appeared in the Chalcolithic and were of the round bowl type. Over time, the design changed from an open dish to a closed dish with a spout for a wick. The materials used for making oil lamps also evolved, with early lamps made from terracotta, bronze, stone, and alabaster. In the 18th century, Aime Argand invented the Argand Lamp, which had a cylindrical wick and a glass tube chimney, making it more luminous and efficient than previous oil lamps.
Candles and oil lamps co-existed for a long time, with candles becoming the main source of illumination in certain contexts, such as in mines during the 19th century. Over time, both candles and oil lamps were replaced by other forms of lighting, such as coal gas lighting and electric lighting.
Oil lamps have been used in rituals and religious ceremonies by various cultures and religions, including Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and Chinese folk religions. For example, in Islam, the oil lamp is used as a parable for God, while in Christianity, it symbolizes eternal life and God himself.
