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The concept
I use the term “theme” to refer to the core topic or message that the seal aims to convey through all the various elements that it comprises.
Thus, a “king’s seal” is so identified because of the legend and.or because of various distinctive iconographic elements.
A “Kumarbi seal” is so identified because of the representation of a god walking in the mountains. And so on.
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From notes on Styles Naturalism ZK402
It is interesting to look at the themes in the royal seals of Urkesh. Ceremonial drinking and eating is often found depicted in the Urkesh sealings (Akc102, Akc103) and holding a conical cup up as if going to drink out of it is part of both the king and the queen’s iconography. Even uninscribed seals can have this motif (A5.91). Many times a table is present and can have food, probably bread, placed on top (A1.305, A5.164). There can also be a conical cup placed on the table (A5.58).
Lap touching is often present in the royal seals as it is a sign of giving homage and is present in both the king’s and queen’s seals (Akc5). In the king’s seal (Zsi.k2 OLD NUMBER) a small boy with a crown is shown touching his lap and in Zsi.q4 OLD NUMBER a girl with a long braid like the queen is touching her lap.
Many of the queen Uqnitum seals bring out moments in her daily life and emphasize her servants and their activities with her and for her. One of the most impressive is a seal of Zamena Uqnitum’s wet nurse(AKc3).Zamena touches the lap of the baby sitting on Uqnitum’s lap (Zsi.h2 OLD NUMBER) In this case it tells us how important the nurse is within the royal family and the household. We excavated a large number of seal impressions belonging to Zamena in the royal palace! But what is so surprising is that in this scene the queen is having her hair braided!!! Additionally under this seal inscription with gives Uqnitum’s name saying “Uqnitum the wife”are seated a lyre player and singer (Akc4); the singer has a hand to her cheek indicating that they are certainly giving her a musical performance. In other seals a table is placed before the queen; it has bird legs, again providing specific aspects of her household ( Akq6 OLD NUMBER).
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The inventory
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The workshops
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