[1][2][3] The fragment of an ancient jewish oil lamp was found unearthed the Beersheba Settlement in the Negev Desert.
[4] It was discovered during excavations beneath destroyed buildings that date back to the time of the Judaea Province.
According to the Israel Antiquities Authority This is probably one of the earliest artistic depictions of a nine-branched menorah yet discovered.
Of the few oil lamps discovered which depict menorahs, none of them have the traditional seven branches.
This is because of a ruling in the Babylonian Talmud which stated that only the temple menorah itself could have seven branches.