Small stone cylinder engraved in intaglio on its surface to leave impressions when rolled on wet clay.
It first appeared 0441; 34002900 BC and is considered to be one of the finest artistic achievements of Mesopotamia. The earliest examples used geometric or animal patterns; later seals incorporated the owner's name and depicted a variety of motifs. They were used to mark personal property and make documents legally binding. The seals were adopted in Egypt and the Indus civilization.