Expert: Ralph Salier - 6/8/2005

Question
Hi:
    Thankyou for taking my question. I have read that archaeologists have found the following: clay tablets and seals that have the imprints of the hem or fringe of a man's garment pressed into it. The imprint it left was supposedly a signature or seal. I am trying to find a picture of one of these imprints. Could you tell me where I might find a picture of this archaeological find? Thank you.

Answer
Hi Pete.

This sounds very interesting and I am sorry to say that I am not familiar with this.  Clay tablets were typically used in the middle east and are often associated with the Ur civilization or the Egyptians.  I am unfamiliar with Ur so it could be something from this ancient city.  It could also be Phonecian but I believe that I would have heard about this kind of signature with them.  So chances are it is from Ur, Babylon or one of the other early cuneaform cultures.