Clay seals and pintaders of the khojali-gedabey culture

Among the artifacts found in the monuments of the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages of Azerbaijan (the second half of the 2nd millennium BC — the beginning of the 1st millennium BC), clay seals and pintaders are of particular interest. These artifacts, which are mainly characteristic of residential areas, create a detailed idea of the seal-making art in ancient times. Although sometimes classified under the same name in archaeological literature, clay seals and pintaders differ from each other in shape, size and function. There is no doubt that the images engraved on clay seals and pintaders, history of which dates back to very ancient times, and bears a certain semantic meaning. Most of the clay seals and pintaders belonging to the Khojaly-Gedabey archaeological culture were found mainly in the Late Bronze-Early Iron Age settlements in the western region of Azerbaijan. The closest analogues of the clay seals and pintaders belonging to the Khojaly-Gedabey archaeological culture are known from Georgia and present-day Armenia, the North Caucasus, Central Asia, and Anatolia. On the whole, in terms of form, content, and similarity of the images on them, close analogues of the Khojaly-Gedabey seals and pintaders are known from all over Eurasia. Most of the circular and rectangular seals and pintaders, which are often made of pure clay, with high quality and fired at a constant temperature, are mostly grey and black in color. Various patterns and images, mainly swastikas, are engraved on clay seals and pintaders. There are various conflicting opinions in archaeological literature about the purpose for which clay seals and pintaders were used. Some archaeologists have characterized clay seals and pintaders as sealing water dams in ancient times, some as embroidering on leather, some as embroidering on bread, and some as symbols of private ownership and private property, and power. In the article is analyzed the features and distribution area of clay seals and pintaders, which are considered characteristic for the Khojaly-Gedabey archaeological culture, from an ethno-archaeological viewpoint.

Beaker · Bronze · Bronze Age · Distribution (mathematics) · Engraving · Human settlement · Iron Age · Vase · Ancient Near East History · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Eurasian Exchange Networks