ختم أسطواني مصادر في المتحف العراقي
دراسة تحليلية في الخصائص الفنية والتاريخية
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65074/dqg78e40Keywords:
artistic characteristic, flat seals, cylinder seals, Artistic descriptionAbstract
Received: 2026 / 06 / 11
Revision: 2026 / 07 / 03
Accepted: 2026 / 07 / 12
Published: 2026 / 09 / 30
Cylinder seals represent one of the most important archaeological artifacts left by the civilizations of Mesopotamia, given their great artistic, historical, and cultural value. They played a fundamental role in documenting transactions and establishing public and private ownership, in addition to reflecting aspects of daily life, religious beliefs, and the economic, commercial, and social activities that prevailed in ancient societies.
The study showed that cylinder seals underwent a clear evolution across different eras, both in terms of their shapes and their artistic themes, which made them an important source for understanding the cultural and intellectual developments in Mesopotamia. The inscriptions and cuneiform writings executed on them also revealed valuable information related to rulers, priests, and officials, as well as their religious and worldly significance.
The study also demonstrated the close relationship between cylinder seals and cuneiform writing, as both contributed to preserving information and documenting events and various transactions in the lives of ancient Iraqis, making them among the most prominent sources relied upon by researchers in studying the history of ancient Iraq and understanding the life of ancient man. The cuneiform writings inscribed on seals helped trace the stages of writing development and understand many of the cultural aspects that distinguished those eras.
The study concluded that cylinder seals were not merely functional tools, but rather an integrated artistic and cultural product reflecting the level of progress achieved by the civilizations of Mesopotamia. Therefore, these seals remain among the most important archaeological sources that contribute to enriching historical and cultural studies, and provide important scientific material for understanding the nature of Mesopotamian society and its development across various historical stages.
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