Cylinder Seal: Ancient Personal Identification

Q: What is a cylinder seal?

A cylinder seal was a small impression stamp carried by the people of ancient Mesopotamia as a form of identification. It was used to authenticate documents like business transactions, land sales, and personal correspondence.

Q: What is the earliest date of cylinder seals?

Cylinder seals are dated to the Late Neolithic Period of circa 7600-6000 BCE.

Q: Where did cylinder seals originate?

Cylinder seals originated in Mesopotamia in the region of Sumer (modern Iraq) or the region of Syria.

Q: How important were cylinder seals to the ancient Mesopotamians?

Cylinder seals were extremely important to the ancient Mesopotamians. The loss of a cylinder seal would be comparable to losing one's ID and credit cards in the present day. Seals conveyed one's name, occupation, and position so the loss of one could lead to identity theft.

Joshua J. Mark

Cylinder Seal

Ancient Personal Identification

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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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