The art of carving stone is known to scholars of the Ancient Near East as 'glyptics'; the more appropriate term 'sphragistics' (from the Greek sphragís) has not become widely accepted. Given the large number of attested original seals, and their impressions or rolled impressions from all periods, and given the great variety of types determined by their functions, seals constitute one of the most important sources in the cultural history of the Ancient Near East.
Blocher, Felix and
Berges, Dietrich (Berlin RWG),
“Seals”, in:
Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and , Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry.
Consulted online on 11 December 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e1112240>