ancient seals
Old wax impressions
Ancient seals are carved objects pressed into clay or wax to leave identifying impressions—used throughout antiquity for authentication, ownership, and official authorization.
Cylinder seals were rolled across wet clay; stamp seals were pressed flat.
The term also refers to the impressions themselves.
In archaeology, these artifacts reveal trade networks, administrative systems, and iconography of early civilizations: The ancient seals from Mesopotamia show elaborate mythological scenes.
- waxPliable waterproof substance
- wax impressionShape pressed into softened material
- ChineseOf that Asian nation
- MesopotamianOf the two-rivers land
- authenticationConfirming genuine identity
Egyptian · stone · Greek · Indus Valley · lost civilizations · trade routes · clay · metal · cuneiform · engraved designs · signet rings · Sumerian · mythological figures · broken seal · verification · official documents · royal decree · Byzantine
- sealsharbor seal, gasket, o-ring, O-ring, airtight seal
- antiquitiesamphorae, bronze swords, bronze tools, antiquities, grave goods
- ancient artsculpture, sculptures, pottery, mosaics, murals
- Biblical archaeologyDead Sea Scrolls, Masada, Jericho, ossuaries, bullae
- heraldrycoat of arms, coats of arms, crest, crests, arms
- Caucasus archaeologyIberia, Caucasus
ancient sealsdigital signatures
Cryptographic authentication of documents
biometric verification · QR codes · two-factor authentication · facial recognition · digital certificates
ancient sealsdigital signatures
Cryptographic authentication of documents
e-signatures · QR codes · holograms · watermarks · barcodes