Signatures meant more in Mesopotamia than they do now − what cylinder seals say about ancient and modern life

Significance of Cylinder Seals in Ancient Mesopotamia

Cylinder seals were closely linked to their owners, reflecting personal identity, beliefs, and social rank. Originating in ancient Iraq, they represent one of the earliest forms of a signature.

Historical Context

The Mesopotamians, settlers between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, pioneered many human advancements including writing, urban development, and governance. Among their contributions, cylinder seals stand out as unique yet relatively lesser-known artifacts.

Characteristics of Cylinder Seals

Typically small, measuring no more than 2 inches (5 centimeters) tall and 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) wide, thousands of these artifacts are preserved in museums today. They showcase a continuous art tradition in ancient Iraq and Syria spanning from the late fourth to the first millennium B.C.E.

These seals were crafted from precious or semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli, agate, or chalcedony. Engravings of images and texts were carved into the stone using the intaglio technique, requiring the markings to be reversed so that their impressions on clay would appear correctly.

Function and Legacy

When rolled onto moist clay tablets, the seals left low-relief impressions that authenticated documents, serving as a personal authorization tool for the owner.

A cylinder seal’s impression is the ancestor of modern handwritten and digital signatures.
Summary

In ancient Mesopotamia, cylinder seals uniquely combined artistry and practicality, functioning as vital personal marks of identity and authorization predating modern signatures.

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The Conversation The Conversation — 2025-11-04

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