CYLINDER SEAL Meaning and
Definition
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A cylinder seal is a small, cylindrical object typically made of stone, clay, or metal, often used in ancient civilizations as a form of identification and authentication. It is characterized by its cylindrical shape, with a hole bored through the center to enable it to be worn or hung as a pendant or seal.
The surface of the cylinder seal is intricately engraved or incised with various images, symbols, and texts, often depicting scenes from daily life, mythology, or historical events. These engravings are usually in relief, meaning they stand out from the surface of the seal. The seal can be rolled on wet clay or wax to create an impression of the carved design, effectively stamping the image onto a document or object.
Cylinder seals were widely used in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, and other civilizations throughout the Near East. They served various functions such as identifying the owner of a specific document or object, ensuring the authenticity or authority of a message or decree, and acting as a form of signature.
These seals were cherished as valuable possessions, often worn as personal adornments by high-ranking officials or nobles. Cylinder seals also played a crucial role in the administrative, legal, and economic systems of ancient societies, enhancing the security and credibility of official documents and transactions.
Today, cylinder seals provide valuable insights into the art, culture, and history of ancient civilizations, offering a glimpse into their social, religious, and political systems.
Common Misspellings for CYLINDER SEAL
- xylinder seal
- vylinder seal
- fylinder seal
- dylinder seal
- ctlinder seal
- cglinder seal
- chlinder seal
- culinder seal
- c7linder seal
- c6linder seal
- cykinder seal
- cypinder seal
- cyoinder seal
- cylunder seal
- cyljnder seal
- cylknder seal
- cylonder seal
- cyl9nder seal
- cyl8nder seal
- cylibder seal
Etymology of CYLINDER SEAL
The word "cylinder" comes from the Latin word "cylindrus", which in turn was derived from the Greek word "kylindros". Both of these words meant "roller" or "cylinder". The word "seal" originated from the Old English word "seol", which meant "a seal or a sealing wax". The word "seal" is also related to the Old High German word "sigil", which meant "a seal or a seal hallmark".
Therefore, the term "cylinder seal" combines the concept of a roller or cylinder with the function of a seal or sealing wax. This is reflective of the cylindrical shape of the artifact and its purpose as a personal seal used for authentication and identification on clay or other materials.
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