Israeli archeologists discover rare ancient oil lamp

The half grotesque face lamp was intentionally buried for luck and is a common Roman artistic motif, similar to the theatrical mask, with a handle like the Acanthus plant. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI

An overview of excavations in the City of David National Park. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI

Workers for the Israel Antiquities Authority dig in the City of David's Pilgrimage Road. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI

The building the lamp was found in may be linked to the protection of the Siloam Pool, the City of David's primary water source. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI

Archaeologists Ari Levy and Yuval Baruch said the lamp, discovered in the foundations of a building along the City of David's Pilgrimage Road, was intentionally placed there to bring good fortune to people who lived there. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI

"Foundation deposits were prevalent in the ancient world, and were intended for luck, and to ensure the continued existence of the building and its occupants," Baruch and Levy added. "And they were usually buried under the floors of buildings or foundations." Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI