Unsealing the Graves: Understanding stamp and cylinder seals in Late Cypriot grave contexts: Property markers, merchant tools, or pendants?

The aim of this research is to expand the understandings of stamp and cylinder seals as grave gifts in the Late Bronze Age Period of Cyprus. The significance of stamp and cylinder seals in other contexts has been more extensively investigated and interpreted, often understood as mercantile tools, markers of social status, and administrative tools (on both household and institutional levels). However, when it comes to grave contexts, the significance of stamp and cylinder seals is reduced to being decorative or used as an amulet. This research reconsiders that perspective by analyzing the stamp and cylinder seals found in grave contexts at the sites of Episkopi-Bamboula, Maroni, Kalavasos-Ayios Dhimitrios, Hala Sultan Tekke, and Enkomi. The data considered is the material and quality of the stamp and cylinder seals, the associated grave finds encountered in tombs, and the iconography and stylistic influences of the engravings. On the basis of these elements, patterns are identified...Show moreThe aim of this research is to expand the understandings of stamp and cylinder seals as grave gifts in the Late Bronze Age Period of Cyprus. The significance of stamp and cylinder seals in other contexts has been more extensively investigated and interpreted, often understood as mercantile tools, markers of social status, and administrative tools (on both household and institutional levels). However, when it comes to grave contexts, the significance of stamp and cylinder seals is reduced to being decorative or used as an amulet. This research reconsiders that perspective by analyzing the stamp and cylinder seals found in grave contexts at the sites of Episkopi-Bamboula, Maroni, Kalavasos-Ayios Dhimitrios, Hala Sultan Tekke, and Enkomi. The data considered is the material and quality of the stamp and cylinder seals, the associated grave finds encountered in tombs, and the iconography and stylistic influences of the engravings. On the basis of these elements, patterns are identified and comparisons are made to the stamp and cylinder seals which were not located in grave contexts. This gives an insight to what characterizes the stamp and cylinder seals which were used as grave gifts, and whether these characteristics were different from stamp and cylinder seals in other contexts. Also considered is what factor it was which lead to their deposition in graves, as some stamp and cylinder seals were in circulation for multiple generations before being buried. This could be related to the wear of stamp and cylinder seals, and the fact that they reached the end of their use-life. Besides the quantitative analysis, specific contexts and notable finds are considered and discussed. Importantly, this research does not aim to create a singular interpretation of this object type, but rather understand the full range of uses and understandings which surrounded stamp and cylinder seals in the past. The analysis in this research establishes the variety of interpretations which can be applied to stamp and cylinder seals in tomb contexts – they can be indicators of vocation, status, and religion.Show less

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Unsealing the Graves: Understanding stamp and cylinder seals in Late Cypriot grave contexts: Property markers, merchant tools, or pendants?