A Local Imitation of a Neo-Babylonian Stamp Seal from a Burial Cave near Gelilot (pp. 53–57)

A burial cave, dating to the second–fourth centuries CE was uncovered at Gelilot in the central coastal plain. Within the finds in the cave was a reused, local imitation of a Neo-Babylonian stamp seal. The impression on the seal shows a common, sixth–fifth century BCE Neo-Babylonian theme of a worshipper in front of the symbols of the gods Marduk and Nabu. The schematized style of the seal, the choice of material (black serpentine) and lack of celestial symbols point to its being a local production.