Typology and Iconography of the Seals of Tepe Hissar, Damghan

Subject Areas : Historical Archaeology

Mohammad Hossein Rezaei ¹ , Hasan Nami ² , Mohadeseh Hoseini Qaleh Qafeh ³

1 - Department of History, Shiraz University, Shiraz. iran.
2 - Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, University of Neyshabur, Neyshabur, Iran.
3 - M.A. in Archaeology, University of Neyshabur, Neyshabur, Iran.

Received: 2023-08-31 Accepted : 2023-10-06 Published : 2024-01-21

Keywords: Typology, Seal, Iconography, Bronze Age, Tepe Hissar,

Abstract :

In archaeological terminology, small portable objects made of stone, mud, bone, and metal, usually 1-5 cm in diameter, with carved patterns are called seals. This tool probably had different functions in prehistoric times, but the economic function of the seal is more important. The greatest variety of cylindrical and metal mesh seals can be seen in the Bronze Age. The present article seeks to answer the following questions: What are the characteristics of Tepe Hissar seals in terms of typology and iconography? Are the typological and iconographical changes of the seals of Tepe Hissar related to the arrival of other cultures in this region? Have the cultural and religious evolutions of the native people of the region caused the changes in seals? This research is of documentary type and based on the descriptive-analytical method, which was carried out with the aim of typology and iconography of the seals discovered from Tepe Hissar, Damghan. The seals of the Hissar I and II periods have been often discovered from grave contexts and the seals of the Hissar III period have been often discovered from architectural contexts. This study shows that most of the seals are of the stamp type and most of the engraved patterns are geometric. The seals of Tepe Hissar were made of various stones and materials, some of which were local and some imported from other regions. This shows the extent of commercial and economic activities in Tepe Hissar.

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