Seal (emblem) - Ancient Near East

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.