Chalcolithic cornets at Teleilat Ghassul reveal ritual lamp use in Jordan’s prehistoric communities

A new study offers the first systematic analysis of Chalcolithic cornets from the site of Teleilat Ghassul in present-day Jordan. These small, cone-shaped ceramic vessels appear only during the Chalcolithic period and are absent in earlier and later pottery traditions. Archaeologists have long debated their purpose. The new research examines how they were made, where their raw materials came from, how they were used, and how they were discarded.

Cornets are known from several Chalcolithic sites, including Ashkelon, ʿEn Gedi, Abu Hof, and Grar, where they often appear in large concentrations. At other sites such as Safadi, Abu Matar, and Shiqmim, they are rare or absent. Many examples come from contexts interpreted as cultic storage areas. The vessels are typically coated with a light or red slip, and some have two or four small handles. Their shapes and finishes vary, and no shared classification system has been applied across sites.

The team focused on the large assemblage excavated at Teleilat Ghassul by the Pontifical Biblical Institute between 1929 and 1999. The collection includes 35 complete vessels and about 550 fragments, most of which belong to the pointed bases. Researchers examined each piece visually and used 3D scanning to define recurring forms. Petrographic analysis helped identify the clay sources. Microscopic inspection and experimental replication clarified the shaping process.

The analysis identified four main types. Most were produced from local clays, which indicates local manufacture. Type 3 vessels stand out for their uniform form and higher level of workmanship, which suggests production by skilled potters. These examples form only a small portion of the assemblage. The majority show variation in shape and finish, and their production did not require advanced technical skill.

Experiments indicate that each vessel could be formed from a single lump of clay in about ten minutes. A round-cut stick inserted lengthwise shaped the interior, while the base was pulled by hand into a cone. This simple method matches traces observed on the archaeological examples. The limited time investment supports the idea that many participants in ritual events could have produced their own cornets as part of ceremonial preparation.

The question of function has generated several theories. Some scholars linked cornets to dairy processing. Others suggested a role in copper metallurgy because beeswax residue has been associated with lost-wax casting. A further proposal argued that they served as beeswax lamps, though critics pointed to the absence of soot in many specimens.

The new study revisits the lamp hypothesis. Researchers documented soot traces inside some vessels from Teleilat Ghassul. They then tested replicas filled with beeswax. In controlled experiments, a cornet filled halfway with modern beeswax burned for up to nine hours. Placing clay at the bottom before adding wax reduced the amount of wax needed and raised the flame within the vessel. The results show that the shape supports stable, long-lasting light.

Teleilat Ghassul is known for wall paintings depicting processions, masked figures, and animals. Cornets were found in areas associated with these ritual spaces. Many fragments show breakage patterns consistent with deliberate destruction. The combination of lighting capacity, cultic context, and discard patterns points to use during night ceremonies or vigil events, after which the vessels were broken and left behind.

The life cycle reconstructed in this study differs from standard categories of Chalcolithic pottery. These vessels were neither typical domestic wares nor highly standardized prestige items. Most were locally made, varied in appearance, and required limited skill. Their distribution suggests gatherings that included participants from surrounding villages. Some may have traveled from farther away and obtained clay near the site to prepare for the ceremony.

By tracing the production, use, and disposal of the cornets at Teleilat Ghassul, the study proposes that these objects served as ritual lamps. Their concentrated presence at certain sites, absence at others, and consistent association with ceremonial settings support this interpretation. The findings provide a clearer picture of how communities organized collective events and managed materials such as beeswax during the Chalcolithic period.