The first lamps we know of were used by primitive man, perhaps before 50,000 BC.
These lamps consisted of a stone in the form of a container filled with animal fat or vegetable oil, whether olive or dried fruit. A piece of moss was inserted in the oil, then it would light up. The moss served as a wick, absorbing the oil and burning slowly to give light.
After people learned to make clay objects, clay lamps were made instead of stone ones. Clay lamps have been found that probably date back to 4000 BC.
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