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METHODS OF ENGRAVING MESOPOTAMIAN CYLINDER SEALS: EXPERIMENTAL CONFIRMATION *
Author(s) -
SAX M.,
McNABB J.,
MEEKS N. D.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
archaeometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.716
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1475-4754
pISSN - 0003-813X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-4754.1998.tb00821.x
Subject(s) - engraving , bronze , quartz , scanning electron microscope , seal (emblem) , geology , materials science , cylinder , mineralogy , metallurgy , art , composite material , engineering , visual arts , mechanical engineering
Previous observations of the intaglios on quartz cylinder seals from Western Asia suggested that they had been engraved by one or more of four basic techniques, that is, micro‐chipping, filing, drilling and wheel‐cutting. In this paper we test our earlier observations and interpretations experimentally. Examination and comparison of experimentally engraved features with the seal intaglios was made directly with a binocular microscope and also by examination of impressions with a scanning electron microscope. Successful replication was achieved using tools of flint, chalcedony, copper, bronze and iron together with quartz and emery abrasives.