Seal Practice in a Central Anatolian Settlement : The Alişar Metal Seals from the Late Chalcolithic to the End of the Early Bronze Age

Abstract This study provides a systematic examination of the metal stamp seal tradition at Alişar Höyük from the Late Chalcolithic through the end of the Early Bronze Age, drawing on typological, technological, decorative, and contextual evidence. The unusually high concentration of metal seals at the site – rare elsewhere in Anatolia – indicates Alişar’s exceptional role within regional sealing practices. The assemblage demonstrates continuity in seal production and reflects a technologically experimental and heterogeneous metallurgical tradition employing lead, copper, and copper alloys. Dominated by geometric motifs, the seal repertoire aligns with Central Anatolian traditions while also revealing connections with North Syrian, Mesopotamian, and Aegean cultural spheres. Contextual evidence suggests multiple modes of use, including administrative, symbolic, and possibly ritual functions. Overall, the findings demonstrate that Alişar was not merely a local production centre but an active participant in broader processes of technological learning, stylistic exchange, and regional interaction throughout the third millennium BC.