25 October 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Archaeologists Discover Rare Masked Roman Oil Lamp in Cuijk, Netherlands

Archaeologists in Cuijk, North Brabant, have unearthed a remarkable discovery: a nearly 1,800-year-old Roman oil lamp adorned with a decorative mask. Found during excavations at the former Nutricia site, this artifact is not only intact but also considered a museum-quality piece, making it one of the most extraordinary finds in the Netherlands.

“Its exceptional condition and intricate design make it a true top piece,” said municipal archaeologist Johan van Kampen.

The lamp was found within what is now recognized as the largest Roman burial ground ever uncovered in Brabant. Since excavations began in June, more than seventy graves have been unearthed, revealing coins, vases, jewelry, and other objects that accompanied the deceased into the afterlife. The oil lamp, however, is the centerpiece, both for its artistry and symbolic meaning.

A Symbol of Light in the Afterlife

Dating to the second century AD, the lamp is believed to have been placed in a grave to guide the deceased on their journey to the afterlife. “It was meant to literally and figuratively bring light into the darkness,” Van Kampen explained. The piece’s intricate decorations, including motifs uncommon in the Netherlands, underscore its uniqueness.

While Roman oil lamps have been found before in the region, one with such refined ornamentation is virtually unprecedented. A comparable lamp with a theatrical mask design was reported as a “unicum” in the Netherlands, confirming the extraordinary craftsmanship of these artifacts.



📣 Our WhatsApp channel is now LIVE! Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates, just click here to follow us on WhatsApp and never miss a thing!!



The Roman mask-decorated oil lamp found in Cuijk. Credit: Gemeente Land van Cuijk
The Roman mask-decorated oil lamp found in Cuijk. Credit: Gemeente Land van Cuijk

Excavations Reveal Ceuclum’s Wealth and Reach

The burial ground forms part of the ancient Roman settlement of Ceuclum, the name given to what is now Cuijk. Strategically located on the Maas River between Maastricht and Nijmegen, Ceuclum played an important role in regional trade and movement within the Roman Empire.

The sheer scale of the necropolis has surprised experts. Archaeologists are currently examining a 1.6-hectare section, which represents less than a quarter of the entire site. Estimates suggest the burial ground may cover as much as 5.5 to 6 hectares. Remarkably, many of the items uncovered are almost completely intact—a rare occurrence in archaeology. This preservation is likely due to burial customs: grave goods were carefully placed with the deceased and then immediately covered with sand, protecting them for centuries.

“Every spade we put in the ground brings up another story,” said Van Kampen. “Through these objects, we not only see the rituals of the dead but also the wealth and cultural connections of the living.” Indeed, several of the artifacts are believed to have been imported, revealing how integrated Brabant was into broader Roman trade networks.

Brabant’s Roman Legacy

Brabant’s Roman heritage is often overshadowed by the more prominent remains in Nijmegen or Maastricht, yet discoveries like this highlight the province’s deep historical roots. During the Roman era, North Brabant lay at the frontier of the empire, a zone where military, trade, and civilian life intersected. Roman roads and river routes made settlements like Ceuclum vital waypoints for commerce and cultural exchange.

Archaeological evidence across Brabant points to a thriving Roman presence, from farmsteads and villas to military posts. The Cuijk necropolis adds another layer to this story, demonstrating that the community was not only prosperous but also closely connected to Roman funerary traditions. Each grave, with its collection of everyday items, acts as a snapshot of life nearly two millennia ago.

The everyday objects found in Cuijk. Credit: Gemeente Land van Cuijk

What Lies Ahead

So far, only 15 percent of the Cuijk burial site has been investigated, leaving archaeologists optimistic about further discoveries. Richer graves may still lie hidden, promising new insights into the social hierarchy, economic conditions, and cultural practices of the Roman inhabitants of Brabant.

For the people of Cuijk and the wider province, the findings are more than just academic. They reaffirm the region’s identity as a place where local heritage and European history intertwine. “The soil here is full of stories,” Van Kampen emphasized. “And we’re only beginning to uncover them.”

The discovery of the 1,800-year-old oil lamp not only enriches our understanding of Roman life in the Low Countries but also shines a light—literally and symbolically—on the enduring connection between Brabant and its ancient past.

Municipality of Land van Cuijk

Cover Image Credit: Municipality of Land van Cuijk (Gemeente Land van Cuijk)

Related Articles

Unique Roman-Era Association Building Unearthed in Ancient City of Sagalassos

1 October 2025

1 October 2025

Archaeologists uncover a unique Roman-era Association Building in Sagalassos, Türkiye, revealing ancient social life, guilds, and family gatherings. Archaeologists in...

Fossil of a hominid child who died almost 250,000 years ago discovered in South Africa

8 November 2021

8 November 2021

A team of international and South African researchers uncovered the fossil remains of an early hominid kid who died almost...

Volunteer Female Gladiators in Ancient Rome

21 March 2021

21 March 2021

Familiarity with gladiators is common. Few people know that female gladiator also fought in ancient Rome. Some were forced to...

27,000-year-old Pendants made from giant sloths suggest earlier arrival of people in the Americas

16 July 2023

16 July 2023

Archaeologists discovered three pendants made from the bony material of an extinct giant sloth in a rock shelter in central...

Ancient Bone Flute Discovered in Iran Offers Rare Glimpse into 8,000-Year-Old Musical Traditions

29 June 2025

29 June 2025

The National Museum of Iran has launched an exciting initiative in collaboration with the Public Relations Department of the Ministry...

The Roman villa in North Yorkshire is described as the first of its kind

14 April 2021

14 April 2021

A Roman villa has been found at a construction site in North Yorkshire, considered the first of its kind. Remains...

Mysterious Rods Found in 5,500-year-old Tomb identified to Be Earliest Drinking Straws

19 January 2022

19 January 2022

Russian archaeologists argue that the rods unearthed in an early bronze age tomb in the Caucasus are the oldest known...

Archaeologists find 2,000-year-old eyeshadow and blush in ancient Roman city of Aizanoi

24 September 2023

24 September 2023

Archaeologists discovered rare makeup products of 10 different colors and different sorts of hair accessories and jewelry during excavations at...

USF team discovers 2,000-year-old Roman house during excavation in Malta

8 August 2023

8 August 2023

A team of researchers and students unearthed a 2,000-year-old Roman house in Malta, complete with a waste disposal system and...

Gruesome Evidence of Prehistoric Cannibalism: Child Decapitated 850,000 Years Ago at Atapuerca

28 July 2025

28 July 2025

In a chilling archaeological discovery, researchers have uncovered direct evidence that a child was decapitated and cannibalized approximately 850,000 years...

Undeciphered Rongorongo Script from Easter Island may Predate European Colonization

12 February 2024

12 February 2024

From the depths of history, a wooden tablet bearing the mysterious “rongorongo” script has been unearthed from the small, remote...

Roman Empire’s Emerald Mines May Have mined by Nomads as Early as the 4th Century

4 March 2022

4 March 2022

New research by archaeologists from the  Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the University of Warsaw suggests that Roman Empire emerald...

Italian Research Team May Have Found Plato’s Burial Site in Athens

23 April 2024

23 April 2024

Graziano Ranocchia, a papyrologist at the University of Pisa, said he found Plato’s exact burial place based on papyri findings...

Alone Against Time: The 3,000-Year-Old Last Hittite Monument of Western Anatolia Awaits Rescue

8 July 2025

8 July 2025

Carved into the cliffs of western Anatolia over three thousand years ago, the Karabel Rock Monument is the last surviving...

500-year-old Ottoman bath revived after years of restoration

5 April 2024

5 April 2024

The 500-year-old Zeyrek Çinili Hammam, a masterpiece of Mimar Sinan and one of the most important examples of Ottoman Bath...