stamp seal

A stamp seal is an ancient device, typically made of stone, used for imprinting identification or designs onto softer materials like clay or wax. These seals, often engraved with figures of animals or characters, served to authenticate documents, much like a signature today. The practice of using seals dates back to antiquity, with early forms appearing in Mesopotamia as far back as the 5th millennium bc.123

The study of seals and their impressions is known as sigillography. Seals were crucial for verifying the authenticity of legal documents, administrative warrants, and even for closing documents to ensure secrecy. While their use has declined with the rise of modern signatures, seals played a significant role in historical authentication and continue to be valuable for historical research.32