KH.21.O.186

KH.21.O.186

Cylinder seal retrieved from the fill (F.11703) of a Hellenistic period pit (P.11704), cut into the a mudbrick wall (W.11388) of the Late Bronze II monumental building. The surface of the seal, made of calcareous stone, appears quite worn and, thus, only a tentative interpretation of the engraved scene can be proposed. A possible schematic standing figure with a long robe can be recognized between two spears or vegetal elements. This latter kind of oblique strokes pointing downwards can be seen on a group of seals from Ugarit (Amiet 1992: fig. 24, nos. 125-127). Next, there are two rampart quadrupeds, possibly equids with their calves next to them. Schematic theories of animals are also found among the Syrian style seals from Ugarit (ibid., 41-44, figs. 14-18). Overall, based on stylistic and iconographic comparisons, it is possible to ascribe this seal to the local Syrian glyptic production of the later second millennium BCE, quite different in quality of execution and style from the other cylinder seal found in area AA (see Cat. no. 20).

Karkemish

AA

F.11703

Acropolis

Late Bronze II

Stone cylinder seal

diam. 1; h. 2.2 cm (perf. diam. 0.4 cm)