Phrygian period seals and seal impressions

Seals, which were a substitute for signature in the past, have been used by different civilizations as an embodiment of power and wealth for a long time. The earliest seal samples date back to 9000 years from today anda re made of clay and Stone while with the advence of technology and new discoveries metals, semi-precious stones, bones and earthenware were used for making seals which were used during various ages. In the fist millenium B.C. seals of the Phrygian civilization appear as an important issue though less frequently studied. Phrygian seals have been discovered at ancient sites including Gordion, Boğazköy, Şarhöyük, Mount Nemrud, Kastamonu-Kınık, Kaman-Kalehöyük, Emirler. They also exist in private collections and museums. Phrygian seals are generally round stamp seals with handles. The handles are either holes and animal figures. Subject of the stamp impressions include goat, deer and bird figures along with mixed animal figures. In the second millenium B.C. Mythological issues are not dealt with as observed in the Hittite culture. This implies that Phrygians developed their unique seal art. Phrygian seals, though affected by other cultures in terms of the design of the figures, should be considered separately taking the seal as whole with its unique features. The rings on the handles or near the imprinting side are among distinctive features of the Phrygian seals. In this study, Phrygian seals pertaining to Early and Middle Bronze Ages were investigated. However seals produced during the Late Phrygian Period with the effect of the Persian Achaemenid culture were not considered within the scope of the study.