Symmetries in Images on Ancient Seals

TL;DR

This paper explores the presence and significance of symmetries in images engraved on ancient seals, revealing how shape influences symmetry and discussing the implications of antisymmetry and broken symmetry.

Contribution

It provides an analysis of symmetry types in ancient seal images and links these symmetries to the seals' shapes and possible symbolic meanings.

Findings

Ancient seals exhibit bilateral and rotational symmetries.

Shape of seal bases influences engraved image symmetries.

Discussion of antisymmetry and broken symmetry in seal images.

Abstract

We discuss the presence of symmetries in images engraved on ancient seals, in particular on stamp seals. Used to stamp decorations, to secure the containers from tampering and for owner's identification, we can find seals that can be dated from Neolithic times. Earliest seals were engraved with lines, dots and spirals. Nevertheless, these very ancient stamp seals, in the small circular or ovoid space of their bases, possess bilateral and rotational symmetries. The shape of the base seems to determine the symmetries of images engraved on it. We will also discuss what could be the meaning of antisymmetry and broken symmetry for images on seals.