- The Romans lit their houses at night by using oil lamps made of pottery filled with Olive Oil.
- Thousands of these pottery lamps have been found all over Europe.
Roman Oil Lamps
- Fuelled by Olive Oil, a half a litre (one pint) would burn for 40 hours.
- The wick was made either from twisted fibres or from resin or pitch.
- Either multiple lamps or lamps with multiple wicks illuminated the houses of the wealthy at night.
- It produced a very smoky flame.
Roman Candles (from the 1st century CE)
- By contrast Roman Candles were made from animal fat called tallow, usually from cows or sheep.
- The wick of twisted fibres was dipped repeatedly into the tallow and then lit to produce a flame.
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