Mesopotamian cylinder seal from Lori Berd (Armenia): An object in an unusual location?

  • Ruben Davtyan
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22012/baf.2016.19

Abstract

Archaeological Site: Lori Berd (Northern Armenia); cemetery, dating from Middle Bronze Age till Achaemenid period.

Tomb No. 106: stone chamber. Ceramic and part of the finds date to Achaemenid period. Also a pinkish chalcedony cylinder seal with gold caps on gold pin. Iconography: standing figure, seizing two upstanding caprids surrounded by symbolic fillings.

Dating: a Neo-Babylonian cylinder seal of late 8th till 7th century BC.

Similar example: usage of Neo-Assyrian/Babylonian cylinder seal by Irtashduna (wife of Darius I) around 500 BC.

Interpretation: suitable for reciprocity of gifts in prestige-goods system of Achaemenid period. Perhaps a gift from satrap to local chief.

Published
2017-03-22
How to Cite
Davtyan, R. (2017). Mesopotamian cylinder seal from Lori Berd (Armenia): An object in an unusual location?. BAF-Online: Proceedings of the Berner Altorientalisches Forum, 1. https://doi.org/10.22012/baf.2016.19
Issue
Vol. 1 (2016)
Section
Panel 4: Identifying ancient paradigms

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