Late Neolithic seal art in Turkey's East Mediterranean Region

A group of seals within the specified region and chronology have been evaluated in the thesis titled "Late Neolithic Seal Arts of the Eastern Mediterranean of Turkey". Besides the 18 unpublished seal finds obtained from the new period (2014-2021) excavations at Domuztepe Höyük, previously published seals have been also discussed with relevant references since the subject is evaluated in the context of the region. In this study, regional seal making has been tried to be evaluated in terms of typology and usage purpose. Print surface shapes, handle shapes and types of motifs have been grouped and studied within the regional scope. The printing surfaces of the seals are generally circular and rectangular printing surfaces are also used extensively. When looking at the motifs embroidered on the printing surfaces; It is observed that linear and lattice-shaped motifs are frequently used. Seals with threaded and non-perforated handles are mostly seen with standard and backed handles. Similar to regional seals are mostly found in the Late Neolithic Period settlements in the Rouj Valley and present-day Syria. In the seal tradition, there is a noticeable difference between them and Central and Western Anatolia. Keywords: East Mediterranean, Late Neolithic, Seal Art, Stamp Seal, Turkey