Archaeologists generally believe that signature seals, also known as cylinder seals or stamp seals, primarily served the function of indicating ownership, authenticity, and authority over goods and documents. Specifically, they were often used to:
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Indicate ownership of goods: They were commonly impressed on bags of grain, textiles, or other valuable items to signify ownership and prevent tampering.
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Authenticate transactions: Signature seals were used in business transactions as a form of signature or signature verification, often for clay tablets that documented loans, trades, or legal agreements.
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Serve as receipts: Tax officials may have used them as a form of receipt for tax payments or to validate tax-related documents.
While there may be ornamental uses, the key functions were more practical and administrative in nature.