In India, early stone seals were stamped. In Mesopotamia until the end of the first millennium BCE,

Question

Read the following passage and answer the questions:

In India, early stone seals were stamped. In Mesopotamia until the end of the first millennium BCE, cylindrical stone seals, pierced down the center, were fitted with a stick and rolled over wet clay so that a continuous picture was created. They were carved by very skilled craftsmen, and sometimes carry writing; the name of the owner, his god, his official position, etc. A seal could be rolled on clay covering the string knot of a cloth package or the mouth of a pot, keeping the contents safe. When rolled on a letter written on a clay tablet, it became a mark of authenticity. So the seal was the mark of a city dweller’s role in public life.

Questions:

(i) Which type of material was used to make seals?

(ii) What were the various types of seals?

(iii) Who carved these seals? Write a few features of these seals (Mesopotamian seals).

Answer 1

(i) Seals were made of stones. It is evident from the fact that until the end of the first millennium BCE, cylindrical stone seals were prevalent in society.

(ii) There were two types of seals. These were:

• Stamp seals
• Cylindrical seals

(iii) These seals were carved by skilled craftsmen.

Features:

• Artistically the carving of the seals was of excellent quality.
• Engraving on these seals depict the scene of every day life.
• The inscribed sign describes the authenticity of the seal.