Archaeologists have uncovered a 4,400-year-old jade seal during excavations at Seyitömer Höyük, located in Turkey’s Kütahya province. Experts believe this is the oldest seal ever found in Inner Western Anatolia (Inner Western Asia Minor), shedding new light on the craftsmanship and trade practices of early civilizations in the region.
Kütahya’daki Seyitömer Höyüğü’nde yapılan kazılarda Erken Tunç Çağı’na ait silindir mühür bulundu. 4 bin 400 yıllık bu mühür İç Batı Anadolu’daki en eski silindir mühür olma özelliğini taşımaktadır. pic.twitter.com/qX2qTK3Zgx
— Tarih ve Sanat (@tarih_sanat) December 9, 2024
Details of the discovery
Dr. Sevgi Gürdal, the lead archaeologist from the Kütahya Museum, announced the discovery, emphasizing the seal’s historical significance.
Made from jadeite, a rare and valuable stone, the seal reflects the skill of local artisans and possible trade connections with distant cultures. The nearest known source of jadeite is the Harmancık region, located between Bursa and Kütahya.
The cylinder seal features a cylindrical body with a horizontal hole and intricate lattice-like designs bordered by circular patterns. These seals were commonly used to mark ownership or verify transactions in ancient societies.
According to Gürdal, the craftsmanship and choice of material are indicative of the presence of cultures outside of Anatolia. “It is an extremely important finding . . . showing . . . [influence of] different cultures internationally and [was] produced with a type of stone in the region,” Gürdal said in a statement to Anadolu Agency.
Found during wall excavation
The excavation team discovered the seal while dismantling a wall structure section. The team is currently studying the site’s Middle Bronze Age and Early Bronze Age layers.
Seyitömer Höyük, a mound that dates back to around 3000 BC, is located 16 miles (26 kilometers) from downtown Kütahya. The site is within the working area of Çelikler Seyitömer Electricity Generation AŞ. The mound originally measured 26 meters in height, 140 meters in width, and 150 meters in length (85ft x 459ft x 492ft).
A long-term excavation project
The excavation project, ongoing for 35 years, is supported by Çelikler Holding. Over the decades, archaeologists have unearthed more than 17,000 artifacts.
Many of these artifacts, including remnants related to ceramic production from the Early and Middle Bronze Ages, are now on display in museums. These discoveries provide valuable insights into early Anatolian societies’ daily lives and craftsmanship.
Gürdal also highlighted a noteworthy comparison: last year, two-cylinder seals were found in the ancient city of Troy in today’s Çanakkale. One was made of baked clay, while the other was made of blue feldspar. However, the jadeite seal from Seyitömer is approximately 600 years older than those from Troy.
“This example is the oldest cylinder seal in Inner Western Anatolia,” Gürdal stated.
Evidence of ancient trade routes
Experts believe the presence of jadeite in Seyitömer suggests active trade routes and cultural exchanges with other regions. Green jadeite is known to exist in the Harmancık region, reinforcing the theory of interconnected trade networks in ancient times.
Cylinder seals first appeared in Mesopotamia around the mid-4th millennium BC and spread through trade to other regions, including Anatolia. The Seyitömer discovery highlights how these early trade routes influenced local culture and craftsmanship.
With each new artifact, archaeologists better understand the ancient societies that once thrived in Anatolia. The ongoing excavations at Seyitömer Höyük continue to reveal the rich and complex history of the region, offering clues to the interconnected world of early civilizations.