Three Cylinder Seals Preserved in Iraq Museum "A Comparative Analytical Study and Publication for the First Time"

The present paper aims to study and investigate a set of unpublished seals (No. 229922, 229909, and 232181) in the Iraq Museum because they have not been published or studied analytically yet. It adopted the descriptive method of the material, manufacturing, major depicted scenes, shapes, and symbols, as well as the minor ones separately. It also examined the small symbols and items filling the gaps. All seals understudy were depicted in one row, with similar features, and handled one theme. The analytical study of their artistic features revealed that there were no texts or inscriptions with the seals, as they were devoid of Cuneiform scripts to give or assign the seals to a certain period. Thus, the study utilized the analysis and comparison of artistic features, depicted scenes such as making offerings to a major god, cutting and engraving seals, body, and head clothes, as well as the symbols of filling the gaps, including the scorpion, moon, and birds and Compare These elements with other seals with the same features, and dated by researchers to date the seals. Additionally, the comparative historical method was adopted for these seals, applying to the registered artistic features and elements to set an accurate date. The study suggested dating the first seal from the post-Akkadian period to the early Third Dynasty of Ur, whereas the second and third seals could be dated to the Third Dynasty of Ur. Making offerings to a major god, cutting and engraving seals, body, and head clothes, as well as the symbols of filling the gaps, including the scorpion, moon, and birds.Keywords: Cylinder seals, Iraq Museum, a worshiper, Major goddess, Lama, Throne, Crescent, Scorpion, Geese.