How to Make Sumerian Cylinder Seals

Cylinder seals signed clay tablets for hundreds of years in Sumeria.

Cylinder seals, objects carved to create a signature impression,were small, hollow devices shaped like a long bead, worn on a cord or pin. Seals had to be difficult to forge, because identity theft occurred in the ancient world, too, so the artwork featured multiple detailed creatures or figures carved in clay or stone such as lapis lazuli. The Sumerians, residents of what is now southern Iraq, used them from 4000 BCE until their conquest by the Akkadians circa 2300 BCE. Cylinder seals imprinted an official signature on clay tablets, including letters, business records and legal documents. Cylinder seals also imprinted jar tops and storeroom doors as proof against tampering.

Things You'll Need

• Pictures of Sumerian cylinder seals from books or websites
• Taper candles cut into 2-inch lengths
• Small tongs, such as ice or relish tongs
• Sharp toothpicks
• Small paint brush
• Clay, moist clay for sculpture or kid's modeling clay
• Rolling pin
• Dry clay or flour, if needed

Instructions

1. Design the seal by copying an actual Sumerian seal from a book or website, or create your own cylinder seal art, depending on the purpose of the project. Sumerian seals used symbols meaningful to the individual, such as gods, goddesses and animals. Some seals also included writing in cuneiform. Sketch the design for the cylinder seal in simply lines that you'll be able to carve. For example, if you're designing your own cylinder seal for a school project, pick symbols that you identify with that you know how to draw, such as dogs, cats, snakes or human figures.

2. Practice drawing the cylinder seal design small enough to fit on the cylinder seal. Straight lines tend to be easier to carve than round ones, so simplify the design with straight lines where you can.

3. Carve the design on the wax with a toothpick. Hold the wax with ice tongs or relish tongs, if desired, to keep it in position to carve the design all the way around it.

4. Brush excess bits of wax away gently with a small paintbrush. An impression seal works by pressing the carved design into a softer surface. Any debris on the cylinder affects the impression.

5. Flatten a large handful of clay with your hand.

6. Rub dry clay from your hands or a pinch of flour on the rolling pin to keep it from sticking to the clay. Roll the clay to the desired size, such a the size of a post card, to have room to make the cylinder seal impression.

7. Hold the cylinder seal's ends with your thumb and index finger. Roll the cylinder seal on the clay using firm, even pressure. Roll the Sumerian cylinder seal on the clay one full revolution to print the entire pattern.

Tips & Warnings

• For a learning activity, show the students contemporary wax seals for letters. Stationery stores carry stamp seals and sealing wax.

• Use real clay made from earth, available from art stores, to make lasting clay tablets. Bake them out in the sun on cement or a cookie sheet.

• This project works well for students. For a group project, provide enough supplies for each artist.

References

• University of Southern California: West Semitic Research Project: Cylinder Seals
• University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology: The Mesopotamian Collection: Background Information for Teachers
• Iraq Museum International: Iraqi Cylinder Seals Recovered by the FBI
• National Geographic: News: Survey of Iraq's Archeological Sites

Resources

• University of Pennsylvania: Write like a Babylonian: Your Name in Cuneiform
• History for Kids: Sumerians