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Ancient Egyptian Beauty and Accessories

Inside the Ancient Egyptian Home

Oil Lamp

The Egyptians used oil lamps to light their homes. They would pour oil into a central hole in the lamp, which would then sit in a store in the bowl. A piece of string or linen would then be dipped into the oil and this would soak up the oil and light, producing a steady flame like a candle. Then people could hold the lamp without burning themselves and place it in a lamp holder or a hook on the wall.

 

Ceramic oil lamp in a teardrop shape with a hole in the centre for a wick and a spout for oil
Ancient Egyptian Oil Lamp

Decorative Tile

Egyptian faience is a ceramic material which creates bright colours. Photograph 2 shows a faience flowered tile. This sort of tile would have been found inside Egyptian houses and used to decorate door and window frames.

 

Piece of tile with white edges top and bottom and a blue stripe down the middle.  In the stripe are different coloured flowers
Faience Flowered Tile

 

Discussion Ideas

  • How are these items similar or different from the sort of objects you have at home today?
  • Can you think of any modern day versions of these items?
  • What sort of things do we use to decorate our homes?