This Akkadian seal (brown limestone 2.4 cm) was purchased from PBJI. Originally there were two contest pairs on the seal (below see parallel in Moortgat), but later one was erased to place the big inscription panel. See the flattended side of the seal, where the panel was positioned. The inscription reads: Dam Sheshkalla, d.Geme-Ninlil, Dumu Urgazu: Wife of Sheshkalla, Geme-Ninlil, daughter of Urgazu. All three names are Sumerian. The seal belonged to a woman, a rare occurance.

Seal impressions

This seal (shell 3.0 cm) is Early Akkadian. The Early Dynastic contest seals are more or less chaotic, with interwoven figures, often crossing each other. Akkadian contest seals depict the figures in groups or in symmetric order. This is a symmetric seal. The hero in the centre is typical Akkadian. Note the flat cap and the short kilt. Below the impressions see two parallels from Tell Brak and Tell Asmar. Boehmer (see bibliography) dates this group to his period Akkadian I, which is the reign of Sargon I.

Seal impressions