Cylinder seal excavated at Tell Agrab (Frankfort 1955, Ag.35:793).
Shrine with gatepost symbols below a curved line; above: a face + three rosettes, linked by lines.
The best part?
That oddly friendly face 😄 staring straight back at you.
Not divine distance — but closeness. Almost humor.
🪨 White limestone | 📏 5 × 4.4 cm
Ancient seals had personality. This one still does.
#LookAtThisSeal #CylinderSeal #AncientArt #Archaeology #KISHIBProject
🎉 Proud to share an associated initiative:
Let’s Clay!
Created by Albert Dietz with Clélia Paladre and @yhe, this Franco-German project brings together seal experts and students to explore the practical use of seals and sealings in ancient West Asia through hands-on work and original museum material.
We’re thrilled to have Let’s Clay! associated with the KIŠIB undertaking ✨
🎉 Fantastic start to the KIŠIB project!
Last week we celebrated our kick-off at the BBAW with inspiring guest speakers, strong interest from colleagues, and a very special highlight: Evelyne Klengel-Brandt.
Following the talks, the reception turned into a great space for discussions about research ideas and future cooperation. The energy in the room was exactly what we hoped for — a collaborative start to a long-term effort. ✨
#KISHIBProject #AncientWestAsia #Seals #Glyptics #Archaeology
How did ancient cities shape their identities? Kepa Martinez Garcia, Fellow of our KIŠIB project, explores Early Dynastic Mesopotamia through its cylinder seals, revealing networks of cooperation and cultural exchange between city-states like Ur, Lagash, and Šuruppak.
📅 10 December 2025 | 4:15 PM
📍 @freieuniversitaet, Holzlaube, Room 0.2052
#Mesopotamia #CylinderSeals #Glyptic #Archaeology #KISHIB #FUBerlin
🪔 Did you know?
Cylinder seals came in many sizes and colors — from tiny 0.5 cm miniatures to impressive 7 cm examples, often with a 2:1 height-to-diameter ratio.
Most were carved from stones like serpentine, lapis lazuli, or hematite — but not all! Less valuable materials such as shell, bone, quartz ceramic, or even clay (as in burgul seals) were also used, and metal examples are extremely rare.
Small objects, great variety.
#QuickFacts #KISHIBProject #Mesopotamia #AncientArt #CylinderSeal
8 May 1895 | A Polish Jew, Józef Gerszon, was born in Złoczew.
In #Auschwitz from 17 March 1942.
No. 26872
He perished in the camp on 3 April 1942.
Do you like Donkey Kong?
3 August 1940 | A French Jewish girl, Raymonde Levy, was born in Finistère.
In October 1943 she was deported to Auschwitz and murdered in a gas chamber.
6 August 1937 | A Slovak Jewish boy, Dov Weiss, was born.
In June 1944 he was deported to #Auschwitz and murdered in a gas chamber.
On 1 April 1937 | A Hungarian Jewish boy, Sandor Braun, was born in Fehergyarmat.
In 1944 he was deported to Auschwitz and murdered in a gas chamber.
KIŠIB
Auschwitz Memorial