Abstrakt
The auxiliary camp of Gerulata was founded in the late Flavian period, and housed acavalry ala for most of its existence. Its adjoining cemeteries contained Roman lamps as amajor group of grave goods, in both cremation and inhumation graves until the early 3rd century AD, when lamps ceased to be deposited.
Altogether 93 graves out of 336 contained atotal of 106 lamps, alargely 2nd century assembly of both Firma- and Bildlampen. Lamps played apart in funeral rites, usually to be burned on the pyre; at Gerulata they were second only to pottery in abundance though they occur in varying proportion across different cemeteries and burial types.
Their context in burial practice and relationship with other grave goods is analysed throughout; notably, adult inhumation graves seem to purposely lack lamps. The lamps bear signs of use, personal ownership, and several unique relief stamps and inscriptions, but the proportion of imports to locally made lamps remains uncertain.
Roman lamps in Gerulata are seen as tokens of Roman culture, much used by the inhabitants of this borderland settlement in both life and death.