Bamboula (…“Seal impressions…”) Benson 1955Jack L. Benson

Stamp Seal

S3 Published AJA 42 (1938) 268 Fig. 10 a cf. p. 270 Square stamp with

pierced lug handle, the top of which is broken off Clay: red-brown at core

to brown outside; said to be well-baked and slightly burnished. The object itself

is now missing. Quadruped to right with forelegs placed up on uncertain object

which lies horizontally with two vertical protuberances, perhaps the corpse of another

animal with legs extended into the air. The standing quadruped has an out-

spread wing (?) on either side in front, attached to its breast(?). Its head is rendered

vaguely with perhaps something above it. Daniel described it

but there seems to be no justification for its published description as the "tufted

head of a bird of prey." In view of the summary workmanship, the possibility

cannot be excluded that what has been interpreted as wings and uncertain

shrived perhaps / crouch

object below

mountain

points on animal

may be attempts to indicate mountainous terrain, particularly since the so-called

"wings" seem to be quite in front of the animal.

5 cm. square PH: 3 cm. Thickness of stamp part 1.7 cm.

Area A Level D:2 House VII (2) LC III A 1225-1150 B.C.

Found in a re-used pit in the north corner of Room 8, therefore discarded, per-

haps because the top of it was broken in antiquity.

The fact that this seal exists in terracotta raises problems. The normal material for

seals is stone, obviously for durability. Furthermore, the usual seal is in intaglio technique

and produces a relief impression. But the representation on S3 is apparently already in relief.

It would appear that an approximation of a stamp seal with a blank surface was

prepared in clay, and an impression stamped from an actual seal while the clay was

still damp; after which it was fired. It could have been made of an actual seal, the