Cylinder Seals from the Site of Tell Bzikh (Zabalam)

Abstract

Cylinder seals were one of those arts that embodied and immortalized an aspect of the details of life in Mesopotamia. Due to the large number of cylinder seals discovered in various ancient cities and in all periods, and the accuracy of the details represented on them, or the diversity of their topics, and the multiplicity of their scenes, it was possible to draw a clear picture of the religious and day life of the inhabitants of Mesopotamia. Seals have a great importance in archaeological studies, as they give a clear picture of well knowing about history of the periods and determining their time periods, especially when they contain cuneiform writing that mentions the name of the king or the names of people in circulation in a certain period (Moorey, 1999, p.18). Seals also contributed to giving us a clear picture or idea about human beliefs and ideas, as well as the common methods and ways of worship that brought people closer to the gods, in addition to revealing to us many religious rituals and social values ​​of each period (Collon, 1997, p.9).

Seals also provide us with evidence of the technologies available at that time of their manufacture, the machines, stone and metal tools, or the raw materials that went into the manufacture of seals. These materials were made available through the trade relations between countries at that time (Moorey, 1999, p.17). Seals also contributed to defining the styles and artistic characteristics of each period in which they were carved and distinguishing them from one period to another (Nissen, 1977, p.18).

The writing on some seals also provided us with valuable information about the names of cities as well as the names of professions and crafts in every historical period (Collon, 1997, p.46). Finally, seals played a major role in tracking the migrations of peoples and knowing which peoples migrated to Mesopotamia by noting the changes that occur in the artistic characteristics when comparing the artistic styles of another seals (Subhi, 1969, pp.21-22).