“Towards a Quantitative Analysis of Mesopotamian Sphragistics,”
Mesopotamia XII, pp. 41–52.
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In this paper, the author reflects about the correct use of statistical analysis in the study of Mesopotamian sphragistics.
Section 1 presents the goals and the presuppositions, recalling how “cylinder seals and seal impressions constitute a continuous record of the changing pictorial style in Mesopotamia from the Uruk period on” (p. 41); moreover, she also stresses some iconological and chronological problems in interpreting ancient glyptic material. The solution here proposed consists in a methodological and quantitative approach which “should seek to minimize as much as possible subjective evaluations in analyzing seals and imprints” (p. 42).
The author continues suggesting the application of a binary logical model “in a system whose component parts are truly mutually exclusive and hence truly comprehensive” (p. 42). Such a structural system of attribute analysis has the benefit to be a close system ('–emic') vs. a cumulative open system ('–etic').
To achieve such an effort, technology (such as photogrammetry) can be very helpful in eliminating (or at least reducing) inevitable margins of error.
The main goal is to “be able to determine very fine stylistic idiosyncrasies which result not from a conscious effort on the part of the seal carver, but rather from motor habits which are impossible to reproduce consciously and thus are a sure indication of a single person as maker. It is only through these means that we can finally separate the work of individual artists on a more secure basis” (p. 42).
Section 2 presents the current status (at that time) of the stylistic and iconographic analysis of Mesopotamian glyptic, hinting to a new project based on iconographical, clearly recognizable features including specific internal criteria (both epigraphic and anepigraphic = figurative).
Section 3 is devoted to the figurative and epigraphic correlations in the analysis of the gods and their symbols.
The last section 4 concludes with the hope that such a system of analysis could be much more shared with the purpose of realize “an open ended data bank whose input will be flexible enough so that answers to questions not now anticipated can be give” (p. 50).
[M. De Pietri – November 2019]