Late Antique Oil Lamps from the Sinop Museum

This study examines oil lamps from the Late Antique Period in the Sinop Museum collection, categorizing them into eight groups based on form, decoration, fabric, and production techniques. Most of the lamps were acquired through excavations, purchases, or donations from Sinop and its surrounding areas. As a colony of Miletus, Sinop adopted strong Western influences through its extensive maritime trade networks across the Black Sea and the Mediterranean world. However, it also developed its own distinctive production styles. In addition to Asia Minor, “Amorium,” and Syro-Palestinian types, examples recovered from local excavation sites such as Demirciköy and the Balatlar Building Complex clearly indicate local manufacturing. The most remarkable group includes lamps defined as the “Sinop Type,” which have no exact parallels elsewhere and are distinguished by unique shapes and decorations. These examples demonstrate that Sinop was not merely a cultural recipient but also developed its own production identity during the Late Antique Period. The study contributes to the understanding of cultural and commercial interactions across the Black Sea region and provides valuable data for identifying local production centers in the Late Antique eastern Mediterranean context.