Cylinder Seal

1900.53.0118A

Thumbnail of Cylinder Seal (1900.53.0118A)

Detailed Images

Basic Information

Artifact Identification Cylinder Seal   (1900.53.0118A)
Classification/
Nomenclature
  1. Communication Artifacts
  2. :
  3. Personal Symbols
  4. :
  5. Personal Identification
Artist/Maker Unknown
Geographic Location
Period Babylonian, Early Dynastic II
Date 28th – 27th century BCE
Culture N/A

Physical Analysis

Dimension 1 (Length) 2.8 cm
Dimension 2 (Diameter) 2.3 cm
Dimension 3 (N/A) N/A
Weight 32 g
Measuring Remarks N/A
Materials Stone--Marble, Stone--Onyx
Manufacturing Processes Carved, Incising, Drilling

Research Remarks

Description

Rogers: A thick semi-translucent seal, but showing foreign influence, perhaps Assyrian. The engraving is very crude straight line work. It contains two human figures, with the typical bird like heads of the early seal, but the bodies are covered by long apron like garments leaving one limb bare. Small symbols are placed near the human figures one somewhat resembling a fish, and the others crabs. The animals are the antelope standing on their haunches and with heads turned to the back.

Porada: A hero with arms raised, flanked on each side by a mountain sheep, a horn of one of which he grasps; another hero with arms raised, flanked on each side by a bull, a horn of one of which he grasps. (Their other hands probably grasped horns of the other animals) In the field: A scorpion below an elbow of the first hero (perhaps also under the other elbow), and a star beside his head; two heads of antelopes under the elbows of the second hero. Note the symetrical composition of the groups.

Published Description Under Review
Bibliography

Porada, Edith. "Concordance of Seals in the Oriental Museum, UIUC." Unpublished ms., ca. 1950.
Rogers, Frances. Babylonian Seal Cylinders as a Historical Source, UIUC Master's Thesis, 1929.

Artifact History

Credit Line/Dedication N/A
Reproduction no

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