Proto-Dynastic period : Cylinder seals and impressions, end of the 4th millennium BC

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Strommenger, Eva
Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham

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Description

Upper row left : Cylinder seals in chip-carving style, bracite, 4.7 cm high (British Museum)
geometrical pattern of sharply carved lines
quatrefoils and tree-like stylised triangles
empty parts on upper edge filled in with circles hollowed out with drill-like instrument. Upper row right : Scapolite seals in Brocade Style, typical of late proto-dynastic period
the bodies of quadrupeds consist of 2 opposed curved lines, engraved with chisel only
ornaments are evenly distributed all over the seal surface. Central row left : Calcite, 6.5 cm high
engraved quatrefoil pattern interpsersed with circles. Central row right : Reddish marble, 1.7 cm high
spider pattern, hollowed out mainly with drill, is fairly common and should be dated to end of Early sumerian or beginning of proto-dynastic. Bottom row : Haematite, 7 cm high
more massive animal bodies than on previous one.

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Type

Archives Series

Date created

1964

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This image is provided for research purposes only and must not be reproduced without the prior permission of the Archives Program, Australian National University.

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