Video | The Fascinating Ancient Seals and Signatures of Iranian Kings – From Darius and Cyrus to Nader Shah Afshar

The history of ancient seals holds great significance for many history enthusiasts. From the Neolithic period to ancient times, seals were widely used in many regions across the world. These seals were often made from semi-precious stones such as marble, lapis lazuli, and amethyst, or from precious metals like gold and silver. Ancient seals served as personal identification tools and were used by everyone, from kings to slaves.

The history of ancient seals in Iran dates back to the early urbanization period in Susa and continued through the Sassanian era. These seals were pressed onto clay lumps tied around containers with strings, ensuring the security of fabric or other materials covering their openings. Beyond their practical function, the engraved designs on their surfaces—geometric patterns, animal figures, or human representations—likely carried symbolic or protective significance.

In ancient times, seals were used to confirm ownership and authenticate documents. Additionally, they played a role in verifying document contents while reflecting the culture, religion, and daily life of the period. Ancient seals evolved as a continuous artistic tradition, featuring various engravings on stones. These seals were used to imprint images onto two-dimensional surfaces. They were crafted from materials such as stone, wood, metal, papyrus, and paper.