الملخص

Coliecting and scientifíc research of Ancient Near Eastern stamp- and cylinder seals began aiready in the last century. For many years the seals were mainiy considered as important for peziodization and dating of excavations, as far as iconography and theme of their representations were concerned. Only during the last 20 years the research concentrated also on the sealings and impressions left on cuneiform tablets and other objects, pointing to the system of control trade and distribution in the communities and institutions. Philologists and archaeologists are now co-operating in the publication of seaied texts to understand them as evidence of a complex society.