Image Credit: Bequest of Edith Aggiman, 1982/Metropolitan Museum of Art

Cylinder Seals of Mesopotamia are the First Signatures in the World

Long before modern signatures or digital IDs, people in ancient Mesopotamia—the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers—used cylinder seals to mark ownership, authorize documents, and express identity.
Dating back over 6,000 years, these small carved stones—usually no more than 5 cm tall—were rolled over wet clay to leave a distinctive impression. Each seal, made of materials such as lapis lazuli, agate, or chalcedony, bore intricate scenes and inscriptions engraved in reverse so that they appeared correctly when rolled.
Beyond their administrative use, seals reflected the personal and social identities of their owners. Texts often recorded names, professions, and even prayers to personal gods, while images depicted myths, rituals, and everyday life. Ownership of luxury materials was itself a sign of status: royalty and temple officials used semi-precious stones, while common people relied on clay or limestone.
Seal-cutters, highly skilled artisans, crafted these miniature artworks that combined functionality and symbolism. Losing a seal was considered an ill omen, much like losing one’s identity.
Cylinder seals embody the birth of personal authentication—an ancient blend of art, bureaucracy, and belief that still echoes today in every modern signature and digital password.

Published on: 03-11-2025

Source: The Conversation