Ancient Near East
Seals were used in the earliest civilizations and are of considerable interest in archaeology. In ancient Mesopotamia seals were engraved cylinders which could be rolled from one side to another to create an impression on clay, sometimes used as a label on a consignment of trade goods. From Ancient Egypt seals in the form of signet-rings of kings have been found.
Recently, seals have come to light in South Arabia datable to the Himyarite age. One example shows a name written in Aramaic (Yitsḥaq bar Ḥanina) engraved in reverse so as to be visible in the impression.
In the Indus Valley Civilization, rectangular seals were used to label trade goods and also had other purposes.
Read more about this topic: Seal (emblem)
Famous quotes containing the words ancient and/or east:
“The mouth of the drowned dog. After long rain the land
Was sodden as the bed of an ancient lake,
Treed with iron and birdless.”
—Ted Hughes (b. 1930)
“Once did She hold the gorgeous East in fee;
And was the safeguard of the West:”
—William Wordsworth (1770–1850)