Chapter 2 - Archaeological Indicators of Mediterranean Sea Trade

65
of Pl. XI is seen to have the disc/volute surrounding the circular container. This
volute is typical of Mediterranean lamps as evident from the original Roman clay
lamp found at Arikamedu (Fig. 12).
Yelleswaram (Dist. Nalgonda, Andhra Pradesh): A terracotta suspension
lantern of typical Roman design was excavated from Pd.II (1st-2nd century A.D.)
levels of the site of Yelleswaram on the banks of the river Krishna. The excavator
Md. Abdul Wahid Khan (1963:31) describes the object thus: "A Red Ware lantern
provided with a rectangular aperture or a shutter serving as the door for placing a
lamp inside. It was meant probably for hanging like a chandalier. It was completely
covered, having sloping shoulders provided with grooves. The sides were almost
straight, tending towards the bottom to form a rounded base, which was also grooved.
The top portion was broken and probably there might have been a long neck "
The terracotta lantern from Yelleswaram Pd.Il is either an importation from
the Mediterranean or is closely modelled on western forms. This is evident from the
reproduction of a Roman lantern from Gaul in Fig. 12 to which the Yelleswaram
lantern approximates. The broken top portion of the Yelleswaram lantern must have
had a ring for suspension like the Roman lamp.
Arikamedu (Pondicherry): Two clay fragments of Roman lamps were found
at Arikamedu. Wheeler (et al. 1946:101) describes the lamps: "Fragment of the disc
and side-volute of a Roman lamp, here restored in accordance with the normal form
of the Augustan Period (early 1st century A.D.). Of fine red ware. Found in the spoil
trench over the principal wall of AK II; not stratified. Another fragment of Roman
lamp was found in the previous excavations." (Fig. 12)..
Recently, in an exhibition on Roman antiquities in India held in Indian Museum,
Calcutta, a 12-nozzle circular terracotta lamp from Arikamedu was displayed and its
photograph published in the catalogue Such multi-wick lamps were very common in
the Mediterranean in pre-classical and classical times, their unique design being
inspired by the Bronze Age oil lamps made by cutting paricular types of shells
(Forbes 1967:143-146;Fig. 12). We cannot be sure whether the lamp is an
importation or imitation.
Korkai (Dist. Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu): Reported as 'spouted potsherds' from
Pd.II (Pandya) at Korkai, a photograph of the objects in question shows it to be
strikingly similar to the fish-shaped clay lamps of Mediterranean inspiration found at
Ter (Damilica 1970 Vol.1:50-54, Pl 49a).
Southeast Asia: A bronze lamp of Mediterranean origin was discovered at
Pong Tuk in Thailand (Glover 1996:151).