Archaeologists in the Dutch town of Cuijk, the Netherlands, have unearthed a Roman oil lamp in exceptional condition. The second-century artifact, shaped like a theatrical mask, was recovered from a grave in what is now considered the largest Roman cemetery ever found in North Brabant province. Link to Greek theater and Roman ritualsResearchers say the lamp reflects the influence of Greek theater, where actors used masks with exaggerated features to convey emotion and transform into different roles. Placed inside graves, oil lamps carried symbolic meaning, thought to light the way for the dead on their journey to the underworld. After nearly 1,900 years underground, the oil lamp offers a vivid glimpse into Roman funerary customs and underscores the connections between theater, religion, and daily life in the ancient world.