http://SaturnianCosmology.Org/ mirrored file For complete access to all the files of this collection see http://SaturnianCosmology.org/search.php ========================================================== *Page 1* *The Development and Demise* *of the Early Bronze Age IV,* *Near Eastern Oil-Lamp* c. 2300-2000 B.C.E. David Arthur Douglas ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Page 2* i *THE DEVELOPMENT AND DEMISE OF * *THE EARLY BRONZE AGE IV, NEAR * *EASTERN OIL-LAMP* by *David Arthur Douglas* A dissertation submitted in the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of: *Ph.D. in Archaeology* Commonwealth Open University 2001 /Assessed by/: The Graduate Committee Commonwealth Open University M.D. Teres, Ph.D. Director of Education Chair of the Graduate Committee /Program Authorized/ /to Offer Degree:/ The Department of Arts and Humanities /Admissions: / M.L. Rua, M.A. /Student Services:/ K. Klimova, M.Sc. /Date:/ April 6, 2001 /Student ID Number:/ 006-98-775 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Page 3* i *Commonwealth Open University* Department of Arts and Humanities /*“Abstract”*/ *THE DEVELOPMENT AND DEMISE OF* *THE EARLY BRONZE AGE IV, * *NEAR EASTERN OIL-LAMP* by David Arthur Douglas This dissertation is an examination/analysis on the evolution and subsequent demise of a unique style of a terra cotta oil-lamp that occurred during the Early Bronze Age IV/Middle Bronze Age I period in the Near East. The oil-lamp’s distinct style and design was directly influenced by changes resulting from a major climatic upheaval and with resulting shifts in the population resettlement patterns. The *EB IV/MB I Period *(2300-2000 B.C.E.), sometimes referred to as the /*Intermediate Bronze Age*/, marks a dramatic transformation in the urbanization and the growth of societies, which were originally established at the beginning of EB I through to the EB III. The oil-lamp’s evolution and development is outlined in conjunction with the overall advancement and changes that took place that influenced its unique ‘form’. The oil-lamp’s design, from the end of the Chalcolithic Age through to the Early Bronze Age I-III period (3500-2300 B.C.E.) was similar to the everyday small pottery bowl or container that was used for drinking or for a bowl that was used for individual portioned foodstuffs. The main source of fuel, used as the burning agent in the lamp, was generally, olive-oil. Severe drought resulting from a major climatic catastrophe(s) that occurred circa 2300-2200 B.C.E. (EB IV/MB I) encompassed the whole region of the Near East. The ensuing harsh dry environment negatively affected overall population migration and in particular, agriculture. Its growth and procreation directly affected the development of the olive tree throughout most of the Near East. The olive tree and its bi-product olive oil, the main source of fuel that was generally used in lamps in this region at that time, would become a rare commodity. The migration of foreigners from Mesopotamia and the re-settlement and scattering of the regions’ inhabitants, resulting from this drought coupled with the scarcity of olive oil, directly affected the development and design of the oil-lamp. A new ‘type’ oil-lamp was developed to meet the lighting needs of the populous and was designed to take advantage of the, now available, inferior fuel resource. This new lamp, featured a small bowl profile with four pinched sides acting as nozzles to hold four wicks. This re-styled lamp burned as bright, as did the previous lamp, when it used an mediocre fuel such as animal fat or fish oil and utilizing four wicks, versus the former style, when it originally burned olive-oil and used only one wick. At the beginning of the MB II, 2000-1750 B.C.E., a welcoming climate correction took place. More importantly, moisture returned to the region. The re-establishment of agricultural practices, the re-planting and re-harvesting of the olive tree and the manufacture of olive-oil were again reintroduced to the region along with other varied crops. A return to urban living also resulted. A distinctive shallower, triangular saucer-shaped version of the oil-lamp now evolved. This new type saucer lamp had a slight fold on one side of the rim that would hold the wick upright so as to let it burn effectively. With the invention of the unique, fast-potter’s wheel, the production of oil-lamps that were to again use the very efficient burning olive-oil as its primary fuel source, quickly replaced the soon to be obsolete, four nozzled bowl type oil lamp version The unique, short-lived, four-sided, small bowl type oil-lamp, that this paper examines, spanned approximately 300 years, dying out as quickly as it appeared. It is a ‘material’ testimony to the calamity of the EB IV/MB I Period.