Wicks for light

At the bottom of the photo - a square oil candle typical of the period and other burial offerings. Photo by Emil Aljam, Israel Antiquities Authority

One of the world's earliest evidences of the use of wicks for lighting was discovered in Yehud

Wicks made of recycled linen, some 4,000 years old, have been found in clay candles in an Israel Antiquities Authority excavation near Yehud. The extraordinary find provides a rare glimpse into Bronze Age culture, economy, and burial customs.