Archaeological discoveries

How was candles made from whale oil?

Candles were made from whale oil by first rendering the oil from the blubber of the whale. The blubber was cut into small pieces and heated in large pots until the oil melted out. The oil was then skimmed off and cooled, and any impurities were removed. The cooled oil was then poured into molds and left to harden. The resulting candles were then trimmed and ready to use.

Here are the detailed steps on how candles were made from whale oil:

1. The whale was killed and the blubber was removed from the body.

2. The blubber was cut into small pieces.

3. The pieces of blubber were heated in large pots called "try pots" until the oil melted out.

4. The oil was skimmed off the top of the pots and cooled.

5. Any impurities in the oil were removed by straining it through a cloth.

6. The cooled oil was then poured into molds and left to harden.

7. The resulting candles were then trimmed and ready to use.

Whale oil candles were a major source of light for people in the 18th and 19th centuries. They were used in homes, businesses, and even on ships. However, the use of whale oil candles declined in the late 19th century as other sources of light, such as kerosene and electricity, became more popular.