The Old Babylonian period is particularly important because it was at this time
that the technology for cutting hard stones was developed, using horizontally mounted
cutting wheels and drills, although previously it had been claimed that this
technological breakthrough could be attested as early as the late fourth millennium
BC(Nissen 1977 ). This has been demonstrated in a series of studies, backed up by
experimental work, carried out by Margaret Sax of the British Museum Department
for Scientific Research (Sax et al. 2000 ). Prior to this seals had been cut with hand-
held tools, and although the drill was used in cutting the designs, this was hidden
beneath overcutting. However, the new technology often resulted in a simplification
of designs and deterioration in technique particularly evident on Figures 7. 3 d–e and
7. 5 a–b (compare the different ways the goddess Lama is depicted in Figure 7. 3 ). The
perforations were, and continued to be, drilled from both ends to avoid overheating
and possible fracture of the stone. There is some evidence for the use of decorative
caps on the seals, particularly in Syria, but in Mesopotamia only towards the end of
the period, especially during the reign of Ammis.aduqa ( 1646 – 1626 BC); however,
these have rarely survived, probably because they were mostly made of gold, and they
are attested predominantly by their impressions (Colbow 2002 , nos. 150 , 266 , 321 ,
334 , 383 , 425 ).
The seals were sometimes rolled out on clay tablets, particularly towards the end
of the period, but more often on the clay envelopes that enclosed the tablets. Generally
only documents that had to be witnessed were sealed. The text was written on the
— Babylonian seals —Figure 7. 6 Envelope fragment from Sippar with impressions of a Babylonian presentation scene
(cf. Figs 7.2and 7.11), and a seal combining Babylonian and Syrian motifs (for the twisted legs
above the chariot see Fig. 7.9). Clay. 6. 7 × 4. 5. BM ANE 16815 A, dated to 1779 BCand recording
the sale of land by a naditupriestess from Sippar (Collon 1987 , no. 730 ).