DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49517#0127
SEALS AND SEAL IMPRESSIONS
81
SEALS PROVENIENCE
11-40, green jasper, scarab form V (1) d. Pl. 40. KXB: 240.
11-41, green jasper, scarab form V (l)d. Pl. 40. KX B: 239.
I—11, green jasper, scarab form V (1) d. Pl. 40. K 1044:18.
1-12, blue-glazed quartz, scarab form V (1) d. Pl. 42, 22-12 K 1066:20.
The classification of the inscriptions, like that of the forms, leads to the somewhat
indefinite conclusion that the Kerma seals are to be dated as a body to the period between
the middle of Dynasty XII and the end of the Hyksos Period.
4. THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE SEAL-TYPES AT KERMA
There remains for consideration the distribution of the types of seals over the Kerma
site. The point of departure must be the seal impressions found in the burnt out rooms
of the Lower, or Western Deffufa (K II). A large number of these impressions had been
more or less burnt during the final conflagration. They were found in rooms Y 1, Z 2,
Z 3, Z 4; but there was no difference in the types found in each of these rooms. It is
quite certain from the seal impressions with the names of the Hyksos kings, that the period
of the deposition of the impressions ended during or very soon after the Hyksos Period.
The total number of seal impressions was about six hundred, made with at least one hun-
dred and one different seals. Of these six hundred impressions, over three hundred were
made with one seal (Impression No. 63), fifty-one with another (Impression No. 10),
forty-four with a third (Impression No. 79), sixteen with a fourth (Impression No. 84),
and ten with a fifth (Impression No. 71). Many of the other impressions were represented
by more than one example. Taking into consideration these facts, together with the fra-
gility of the material, the conclusion seems justified that the period of accumulation was
relatively short, not more than a generation or two. Thus, the types of seal inscriptions
shown by Impressions Nos. 1-101 may with reasonable certainty be ascribed to the Hyksos
Period, but not necessarily confined to that period. The forms of pottery, especially the
Bkt. beakers, found with these seal impressions are to be noted as characteristic of the
Hyksos Period.
Another lot of about two hundred and fifty seal impressions was found outside and to
the east of the outer doorway of chapel K XI. These had been used to seal the wooden
doors of the chapel and were cast away after being broken. They show about sixteen dif-
ferent seals, but the great majority of the impressions are from one seal (Impression No. 115).
One impression appears to be the seal of a priest of Ptah (Impression No. 112). All these
impressions were from well made seals, and from the position in which they were found,
must have been the seals of the chapel officials. They undoubtedly belong to the last of
the three periods of occupation of the temple, and are therefore probably to be dated to
the XHIth Dynasty, or thereafter.
The following seals were found in Tumulus K III:
NO. SEAL FORM TYPE INSCR. TYPE
1. In the sacrificial corridor:
KIHA:xl. 11-54, rough blue faience... V (4)b. HI(4)d.
K301:i. H-63, steatite. V (3)a. HI(2)a.
K302:ii. H-87, steatite. V (3)b. 111(4)5.
K 304:i. H-29, steatite. VI(2). II(l)a.
81
SEALS PROVENIENCE
11-40, green jasper, scarab form V (1) d. Pl. 40. KXB: 240.
11-41, green jasper, scarab form V (l)d. Pl. 40. KX B: 239.
I—11, green jasper, scarab form V (1) d. Pl. 40. K 1044:18.
1-12, blue-glazed quartz, scarab form V (1) d. Pl. 42, 22-12 K 1066:20.
The classification of the inscriptions, like that of the forms, leads to the somewhat
indefinite conclusion that the Kerma seals are to be dated as a body to the period between
the middle of Dynasty XII and the end of the Hyksos Period.
4. THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE SEAL-TYPES AT KERMA
There remains for consideration the distribution of the types of seals over the Kerma
site. The point of departure must be the seal impressions found in the burnt out rooms
of the Lower, or Western Deffufa (K II). A large number of these impressions had been
more or less burnt during the final conflagration. They were found in rooms Y 1, Z 2,
Z 3, Z 4; but there was no difference in the types found in each of these rooms. It is
quite certain from the seal impressions with the names of the Hyksos kings, that the period
of the deposition of the impressions ended during or very soon after the Hyksos Period.
The total number of seal impressions was about six hundred, made with at least one hun-
dred and one different seals. Of these six hundred impressions, over three hundred were
made with one seal (Impression No. 63), fifty-one with another (Impression No. 10),
forty-four with a third (Impression No. 79), sixteen with a fourth (Impression No. 84),
and ten with a fifth (Impression No. 71). Many of the other impressions were represented
by more than one example. Taking into consideration these facts, together with the fra-
gility of the material, the conclusion seems justified that the period of accumulation was
relatively short, not more than a generation or two. Thus, the types of seal inscriptions
shown by Impressions Nos. 1-101 may with reasonable certainty be ascribed to the Hyksos
Period, but not necessarily confined to that period. The forms of pottery, especially the
Bkt. beakers, found with these seal impressions are to be noted as characteristic of the
Hyksos Period.
Another lot of about two hundred and fifty seal impressions was found outside and to
the east of the outer doorway of chapel K XI. These had been used to seal the wooden
doors of the chapel and were cast away after being broken. They show about sixteen dif-
ferent seals, but the great majority of the impressions are from one seal (Impression No. 115).
One impression appears to be the seal of a priest of Ptah (Impression No. 112). All these
impressions were from well made seals, and from the position in which they were found,
must have been the seals of the chapel officials. They undoubtedly belong to the last of
the three periods of occupation of the temple, and are therefore probably to be dated to
the XHIth Dynasty, or thereafter.
The following seals were found in Tumulus K III:
NO. SEAL FORM TYPE INSCR. TYPE
1. In the sacrificial corridor:
KIHA:xl. 11-54, rough blue faience... V (4)b. HI(4)d.
K301:i. H-63, steatite. V (3)a. HI(2)a.
K302:ii. H-87, steatite. V (3)b. 111(4)5.
K 304:i. H-29, steatite. VI(2). II(l)a.