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Çatalhöyük Stamp Seal Catalogue

Catalogue

In the catalogue, a more detailed description of every seal is given. General description consists of form, excavation number (from museum records), level, location and context (if known), dimensions (in mm), Munsell colour, publishing (if already published) and condition of the stamp seal. Damage and breakage were coded for different parts of the seal — i.e. in par-ticular the handle and the decorative surface or face side. The seals are presented in chronological order. Iconographic and form similarities are emphasized inside the level contexts.

The description order per seal is as follows in chronological sequence:

Level II1) Rounded stamp seal with groove in the centre, Çatalhöyük 239, Level II, B1 area, 35H, 34R, greyish-brown (10 Y/R 5/2), Mellaart 1963, fig. 40.6. Complete. The overall face is rounded. The face is convex with a groove in the centre which was cut out with an ir-regular pointed tool. It was either designed to be tied up by a rope or to be used as a bone polisher. The pattern is composed of a spacing of dots and lines (pattern group 11).

2) Oval stamp seal with perforated handle, Çatalhöyük 239, Level II, B3 Area, 60L, 54W, 35H, greyish-brown (10 Y/R 5/2), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 40.1. Complete, but one side is slightly broken (five per cent). The face pattern is very unique with coiling and inclining lines set in a diagonal arrangement. Coiling motifs are set diagonally between the lines dividing the face into two panels. The lines are carved deeply on the surface.

3) Oval stamp with four design panels, Çatalhöyük 241, Level II, A1 Shrine, 62L, 43W, 32H greyish-brown (10 Y/R 5/2), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 40.5. Complete but one side is slightly broken (over five per cent). The handle is in conical shape. The perimeter of the base is

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denticulate because the patterns are engraved by deep carving. There are two projecting lines and triangles that are seen on the short sides. On each short side, the pattern between projecting lines is elongated and becomes a drop motif. Each pattern group is separated by two parallel half rounded lines, that are almost at a tangent to the centre.

4) Oval stamp with pseudo meanders, Çatalhöyük 242, Level II, A1 Shrine, 58L, 47W, 20H, greyish-brown (10 Y/R 5/2), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 40.2. The apex of the handle is broken. Overall form is oval. It is engraved by pseudo-meanders that are the dominant pattern in the whole assemblage.

5) Oval stamp, Çatalhöyük 243, Level II, A1 Shrine, 62L, 43W, 29H, dark grey (10 Y/R 4/1), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 40.9. Overall face form is sub-oval. The edges of the base are slightly denticulate. The oval handle had been flattened by fingers so that it can be held firmly. The pattern composition is composed of many pattern features with a big diamond that is bordered by three parallel triangles in the centre and on either side are small roundels which are surrounded by curving lines. It is notable that No. 5 seems to be clearly a stylized version of No. 12 (see Level VI below) as is an ear-lier seal of Level IV. On the face of No. 5, the central motifs are much more emphasized within enlarged size. Interestingly, the curving line with projections at centre of longer side recalls a bucranium that does not necessarily mean bucranium symbol at all. The oval pattern becomes a diamond-like shape in the centre of seal composition when compared to earlier prototype of No. 12 seal face.

6) Sub-rectangular stamp seal, Çatalhöyük 240, Level II, A1 Shrine, 42L, 22W, 26H, pale brown grey (10 Y/R 6/3), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 40.3. Complete, the face form is sub-rectangular. The apex is rectangular but the corners are rounded. The pattern is a symmetrical arrangement of one curving line and two diagonally-

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set dots. The line twists up and down so as to make a diagonal symmetry. The diagonally-arranged dots and twisting line are clearly associated with the general pseudo-meander pattern.

7) Sub-rectangular stamp seal, Çatalhöyük 238, Level II, B2 Shrine, 62L, 60W, 25H, light brown (10 Y/R 6/4), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 40.7. Half of it is broken off. The face form is rectangular and is incised with pseudo-meander patterns. The sides are slightly rounded but flat. Remarkably, the pattern on the stamp face also runs down the sides. In contrast to Mellaart’s recon-struction, there is a wide groove in the centre. It is clearly made for an unknown function. The rear does not have any evidence of a handle. My suggestion is that the grooves right in the centre seem to have func-tioned with one or more ropes tied across the centre so as to hold the ropes firmly.

Level III8) Sub-rectangular stamp seal, Çatalhöyük 28, Level III, A2 Area, 62L, 60W, 25H, greyish-brown (10 Y/R 5/2), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 40.10. Half of it is broken off. The face form is rectangular. It is engraved by pseudo-meander patterns which are incised. The sides are slightly rounded but flat. In contrast to the same form and pattern in No. 7, the patterns on the stamp face do not run down the sides but stay on the main side (grooved side). The rear does not have any evidence of a handle. There are no comparative clay objects. The same grooving in the centre is seen on three more stamps (Nos. 1, 7 & 13). All three of them, two of which have the same form, seem to have been deliberately broken off through the centre.

9) Oval stamp, Çatalhöyük 12, Level III, A4 Area, 75L W35, 22H, grey (10 Y/R 5/1), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 40.9. Complete. Well baked. The handle is conical and low in profile. It is an outstanding example with neatly engraved pseudo-meander patterns on every inch of the seal face.

10) Oval stamp with groove, Çatalhöyük 239, Level III, A1 Area, 57R, 35H, brown (10 Y/R 4/2), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 40.8. Fairly complete but some parts of the edges are worn away. The handle is conical. Although it is engraved with a pseudo-meander pattern, the chevron motif, which is in the centre, is accentuated by parallel flanking lines.

Level IV11) Sub-rectangular stamp, Çatalhöyük 601, Level IV, Area F (Courtyard), 48L, 21W, 20H, greyish-brown (10 Y/R 5/2), Mellaart 1967, pl. 121 & 1976, pl. 53.

Complete. The handle is conical but low in profile. The design is carved deeply. The face bears a sym-metrical arrangement. Two pairs of parallel curving lines face each other in the centre. Besides that, one curving line bends so as to run in the same direction as the other pair of lines (coming from the other side). The gap around the main pattern is filled by small triangles. Because of the firing, the handle and rear are much darker.

12) Oval stamp, Çatalhöyük 608, Level IV, Area F (Courtyard), 55L, 42W, 35H, grey (10 Y/R 5/1), Mel-laart 1967, pl. 121 & 1976, pl. 53. Complete but some parts of the edges are worn down, especially on one side. Surface wear is very clear on the seal face. The handle is conical. Some white spots can be seen inside the grooves of patterns. In the centre are an elongated ellipsoid and a curving motif. These central combina-tions of motifs are enclosed by three sets of diagonal lines, each of which meets above the central motif. At either side are three roundels that are separated by an encircling line. The same arrangement is also seen in No. 5 seal from Level II. However, on seal face of No. 5, the central motifs are much more emphasized within enlarged size; the curving line at the bottom in the centre recalls a bucranium-like shape and the oval pattern becomes a diamond-like shape in the centre of the seal composition. Evidently, No. 12 seems to be a prototype version of No. 5 as a much earlier seal of Level II. More similar patterns can be expected due to its favoured pattern composition through time.

13) Conical rounded clay object (stamp?), Çatalhöyük 557, Level IV, Area F (Courtyard), 36L, 31W, 18H, light brown grey (10 Y/R 6/2), unpublished. This is an enigmatic piece in the Çatalhöyük repertoire. Half of the seal face is broken off. It is grooved right in the centre. The outer contours are rounded and become more rounded at the side. The same grooving in the centre is seen on three more stamps (Nos. 1, 7 & 8).

14) Round stamp, Çatalhöyük 237, Level IV, E (A1) Area, 29R, 16H, greyish-brown (10 Y/R 5/2), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 41.8. Not complete. Apex of the handle is broken off. Overall face form is rounded. Seal face seems to be worn down due to long use. Seal design is composed of a cross pattern.

15) Round stamp, Çatalhöyük 235, Level IV, B1 Area, 35L, 34R, light brown (10 Y/R 6/3), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 41.6. Not complete. Apex of the handle is broken off. Handle is perforated. The seal face is complete and round. The patterns are deeply carved. The perimeter of the seal is denticulate. The motif arrangement

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shows a rotational symmetry. Deep carved spirals at the edges of stamp run around the central combina-tion in a clockwise manner. Two curving lines encircle the drop motif in the central area. Apart from these curving lines, there are two straight lines dividing the seal face into three zones.

16) Floral-formed stamp seal, Çatalhöyük 431, Level IV, Area E, Courtyard (from burial), 48L, 42W, 29H, greyish-brown (10 Y/R 5/2), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 41.6. Complete. The handle is conical. Its quatrefoil form is reminiscent of a flower. It is carved in a plastic way. It is notable that the four projecting edges of the stamp are very well modelled. The form and pattern are al-most identical. In the centre is a diamond motif.

17) Oval stamp seal, Çatalhöyük 14, Level IV, Area E2, 38L, 35W, 18H, dark grey (10 Y/R 4/1), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 41.2. Not complete. Tip of the handle and a small part of rounded edge and the base are broken off. Overall face form is oval. Some yellowish tiny spots can be seen inside the incisions. The pattern on the face is mainly composed of lines that coil up on either side. In the centre are two pairs of diagonal lines that make a triangle. There are also small triangles in the inside space. The small triangles are filled by heart-shaped motifs. On either sides of the base, there are curving motifs that are hard to identify.

18) Composite form stamp seal, Çatalhöyük 231, Level II, Area B1 (Shrine), 38L, 35W, 18H, greyish brown (10 Y/R 5/2), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 40.2. Well baked. Not complete. Almost 50 per cent of the seal face is miss-ing. The high handle is perforated. Although the seal face is missing, it seems to make a triangle at the top. In Mellaart’s publication, it is reconstructed with three panels continuing along the seal face. The one in the middle projects out slightly. Every panel is engraved by curving (or meandering) lines and small decorated patterns around it. The patterns are carved deeply.

19) Hand-shaped stamp seal, Çatalhöyük 72, Level IV, Area E1 (Shrine), 48L, 40W, 22H, greyish-brown (10 Y/R 5/2), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 41.4. Not complete. Almost 40 per cent is missing on the face side. The handle is broken off and cannot be identified. The patterns are irregular incisions of lines and dots. The form seems to be a hand or paw shape.

20) Hand-shaped stamp seal, Çatalhöyük 20, Level IV, Area E3, 59L, 39W, 22H, greyish-brown (10 Y/R 5/2), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 41.3. Not complete. The handle, which could be slightly conical, is almost missing, so it may not be defined. Two fingers of the hand

form are broken off. The design is incised by pseudo- meander patterns.

21) Round stamp seal, Çatalhöyük 13, Level IV, Area E3, 32R, 36H, dark grey (10 Y/R 4/1), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 41.1. Complete. Well baked. The handle is coni-cal. The face is deeply engraved by an intricate spiral design.

Level VI22) Round stamp seal, Çatalhöyük 282, Level VI, Area E1, 30R, 23H, white (10 Y/R 8/2: face side), pale brown (10 Y/R 7/3:rear), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 41.9. Not com-plete. Well baked. The handle is conical. Because of firing, the colour changes towards the handle. The clay includes much calcium. The stamp face is engraved by a spiral design like that in No. 21.

23) Oval stamp, Çatalhöyük 433, Level VI, E Area, Courtyard (from burial), 36L, 31W, 36H, grey (10 Y/R 5/1), Mellaart 1964a, fig. 40.2. Almost 30 per cent of the seal is broken off. The handle is not much emphasized. The rear is slightly conical at the top. The incisions are thin and shallowly cut, in some parts not visible. The pattern is composed of longitudinal lines and curving patterns. Three longitudinal lines run parallel so as to give a symmetrical affect separate two oscillating lines from each other. The curving patterns are perpendicu-lar to the horizontal parallel lines in the centre.

Level VII24) Round stamp, Çatalhöyük 679, Level VII, E.15, 30H, grey (10 Y/R 7/3), not published. Not well baked. Complete. The handle form is cylindrical. Deep concentric circles engrave the seal face. An ir-regularly-modelled perimeter circle is emphasized to enlarge the seal face.

Unstratified25) Round stamp, Çatalhöyük 44, unstratified, 22R, 25H. Reddish-yellow (7.5 Y/R 6/6), unpublished. Complete. The cylindrical handle and the rear are identical. The apex of the handle gets narrower. The base displays concentric criss-cross motifs. The inci-sions are very shallow. There is a possibility that it was a token instead of being a stamp.

26) Round stamp, Çatalhöyük 62, 20H, 20R, unstrati-fied, greyish-brown (10 Y/R 5/2), unpublished. Com-plete. The rear (handle also) is cylindrical. The face is not perfectly flat but slightly rounded at one edge. The pattern is a cross that is made by two simple strokes (very shallow on the surface). There is a possibility that it was a token rather than a stamp.

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27) Boomerang-formed stamp, Çatalhöyük 15, un-stratified, 92L, 43W, 31H, greyish-brown (10 Y/R 5/2), unpublished. Complete but the handle is damaged (al-most 50 per cent). Because of the damaged condition, it is hard to identify the real form of the handle. The form recalls a boomerang. The rear is slightly rounded upwards. The pattern is composed of three parallel curves that are identical to the form. The curves are engraved very deeply. Its large size is very striking compared to the seal forms.

28) Published (Hamilton 1996, 240 & fig. 12.6.4).

29) Published (Hamilton 1996, 240 & fig. 12.6.5).

30) Stamp seal (fragment), Çatalhöyük 928.H1, 24L, 14W, 22H, unstratified, greyish-brown (10 Y/R 5/2). It is very much damaged and fragmentary. It is hard to reconstruct overall form and thus the pattern as well.

31) Stamp seal (fragment), Çatalhöyük 47, 24L, 21W, 13 H, unstratified, greyish-brown (10 Y/R 5/2). Very damaged and fragmentary. Although it is hard to reconstruct the overall form of the base and rear and thus the pattern as well, the base seems to be oval shaped. The pattern is likely to share the same patterns and arrangement (pattern group 4) with Nos. 5 (Level IV) and 12 (Level II) but in a more stylized way.