142 VICTOR E. G. KENNA

THE SEAL USE OF CYPRUS IN THE BRONZE AGE, III

III. Cypriote stamp seals in the late bronze age

Coincident with the use of the Cylinder seal in the Late Cypriote Bronze Age, is that of a stamp seal, conoid in shape, engraved on its flat base. Evidence from the recent excavations at Enkomi Town, by Dr. P. Dikaios (1), suggests that cylinders of Cypriote manufacture were already in use before the conoid shape was generally adopted. If here, adopted means also manufactured, then the evidence from the Dikaios excavations, gives a fair picture of the time-relation and frequency of the two uses. It probably gives also, evidence for the general manufacture and use of seals in that part of Cyprus, since while in Enkomi Town, quite a number of cylinders were found in L. Cypriote II. Β and C levels, stamp seals were not found in any frequency in levels earlier than Late Cypriote U.C.

Evidence from the Enkomi excavations of 1897 (2), however, implies that fine conoids were in use earlier than Late Cypriote U.C. That in this case, they were found generally in tombs, and probably votive in character, while not giving a precision which might obtain in the excavation of destruction levels, yet at least suggests an earlier manufacture and uses than the date of the interment itself. In support too of a date earlier than Late Cypriote 1 1. G for the use of the conoid, is the existence of seals of this shape, without particular provenience or stratigraphy, bearing superlative work, with strong Aegean characteristics. If the use of fine imported cylinders from the Ancient Near East preceded indigenous Cypriote work on that shape, a similar importation of stamp seals, not necessarily of local work, preceding, or at least contemporary with these early indigenous cylinders, is suggested. Indeed, there is one instance