Archaeologists discover decorated Roman oil lamp in Cuijk

Archeologists made a “special find” in Cuijk, Noord-Brabant, on Wednesday, according to Land van Cuijk. The item found is a Roman oil lamp decorated with a “finely crafted mask.”

The find was made on the former Nutricia site in Cuijk, where a Roman cemetery is located. According to Land van Cuijk, this type of oil lamp is found fairly often, but this one, “with this decoration, makes it unique in the Netherlands. The lamp is of museum value and is considered an absolute top find,” the municipality said in a statement.

The finds in the graves provide insight into Roman burial rituals. The deceased were often cremated, with grave goods such as oil lamps, coins, and jewelry included. These items served as tributes and as aids for the journey to the afterlife. The decorated oil lamp from the second century AD is an example of such a grave good.

Archeological research at the location of the former factory began last June to “secure valuable finds.” In 2023 and 2024, “special archaeological finds” were also discovered among the building’s foundations, the municipality says. After the archaeological research, houses will be built on the site.

In Roman times, Cuijk was known as Ceuclum. Its strategic location on the Maas made it an important settlement along the route from Maastricht to Nijmegen. The wealth of finds in the cemetery reflects the prosperity of Ceuclum’s inhabitants.