Cylinder Seal

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Definition

Cylinder Seals were impression stamps used by the people of ancient Mesopotamia. Known as kishib in Sumerian and kunukku in Akkadian, the seals were used by everyone, from royals to slaves, as a means of authenticating identity in correspondence. In time, they came to be recognized as one's personal identification.

More about: Cylinder Seal

Timeline

  • c. 7600 BCE - c. 6000 BCE
    Stamp Seals and Cylinder Seals develop in Mesopotamia.
  • c. 7600 BCE - c. 610 BCE
    Cylinder Seals in use throughout Mesopotamia.
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