CYLINDER SEALS IN THE COLLECTIONS OF IZIKO MUSEUMS OF SOUTH AFRICA IN CAPE TOWN AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ANCIENT STUDIES OF STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This paper studies the cylinder seals in the collections of Iziko Museums of South Africa in Cape Town and the Department of Ancient Studies of Stellenbosch University. The individual seals are described and there is an iconographic analysis of the scenes and motifs depicted on each seal, with comparisons to other artefacts. These seals date from the Early Dynastic period until the Persian period (ca. 3100-332 BC) and represent motifs such as deities, mythological beings and the ‘master of animals’, and scenes such as the contest scene and presentation scene.