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A CYLINDER SEAL FROM TELL ABU AL-DHAHAB DATED TO THE FIRST SEALAND DYNASTY (1740–1374 BC)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 September 2021

Ahmed K. Taher Al-Zubaidi  and
Mohammed S. Attia
Ahmed K. Taher Al-Zubaidi
Affiliation:
Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, State Board for Antiquities and Heritage, Baghdad, [email protected]
Mohammed S. Attia
Affiliation:
Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, State Board for Antiquities and Heritage, Baghdad, [email protected]
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Abstract

This article presents a unique cylinder seal found at the site of Tell Abu al-Dhahab, in the Iraqi marshes. The cylinder seal, made of alabaster, is dated to the First Sealand Dynasty period and contains a scene with an introduction to a seated deity. It is accompanied by an inscription identifying the father of its owner as the overseer of the incantation priests. The aim of the article is both to discuss the cylinder seal, but also contextualize it within the temple where it was found and the period to which it is dated.

تقدم هذه المقالة ختم أسطواني فريد من نوعه عثر عليه في موقع تل أبو الذهب، في منطقة الأهوار العراقية، وهو واحد من أعقد الأنظمة البيئية في العراق . يعود تاريخ هذا الختم الأسطواني المصنوع من المرمر الى فترة سلالة القطر البحري الأولى ويظهر عليه مشهد لإله جالس يصاحبه نص يحدد هوية أبي مالك الختم بأنه المشرف على كهنة التعويذ . الغرض من هذه المقالة هو مناقشة موضوع هذا الختم الأسطواني وكذلك تحديد أهميته ضمن المعبد الذي عثر على الختم فيه والى الفترة التي يعود اليها وهي سلالة القطر البحري الأولى، التي بدأ ظهور معلومات أكثر عنها في السنين القليلة الماضية .

Type
Research Article
Information
IRAQ , Volume 83 , December 2021 , pp. 13 - 24
Copyright
Copyright © The British Institute for the Study of Iraq 2021

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