Archaeology and Social History : the Susa Sealings, Ca. 4000 - 2340 B.C.

The author studies those instances of clay sealings from the site of Susa (SW Iran, ca. 4000-2340 B.C.) in which more than one impression of a single seal is preserved. He observes that Susa B-style seals left their imprints on mobile containers (sacks, pots, baskets ?), while Susa C-style stamp and cylinder seals marked "bullae" (hollow clay containers with symbols of goods inside) and "locks" (devices for sealing doors). Third-millennium cylinder seals were impressed on containers of goods and "locks". The author proposes an interpretation in terms of a trend from reciprocity to redistribution.