<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?><pres:item xmlns:pres="http://kulturarvsdata.se/presentation#"><pres:version>1.3.0</pres:version><pres:buildDate>2026-10-18</pres:buildDate><pres:itemLabel xml:lang="en">seal</pres:itemLabel><pres:dataQuality>Rådata</pres:dataQuality><pres:id>3400361</pres:id><pres:service>objekt</pres:service><pres:organization xml:lang="en">Statens museer för världskultur - Medelhavsmuseet</pres:organization><pres:organizationShort>SMVK-MM</pres:organizationShort><pres:type xml:lang="en">Föremål</pres:type><pres:entityUri>http://kulturarvsdata.se/SMVK-MM/objekt/3400361</pres:entityUri><pres:idLabel>MM 1975:002</pres:idLabel><pres:description xml:lang="en">Indus Valley square stamp seal with boss handle ridged over the top bore through lower part of handle. Bull-like animal with one horn faces right, it has a ‘ladder-like’ collar around neck with fine lines (? folds of skin) around neck and upper shoulder; the creature is described by Shah) Parpola 1991, p. XXX as ‘unicorn’ and the various type have been classified from ‘I-V’. A rectangular (?) flag or standard on a stand is placed beneath the animal’s head and one line of Indus Valley script above. Helen Merrillees catalogue 1995.</pres:description><pres:content xml:lang="en">MM 1975:002, Acquired from a person from Pakistan, (see Shah/Parpola 1991, p. XXXII for discussion of material of Indus Valley seals). 
-four impressions, The whitish colour has become a dirty brown and there is some chipping at the upper corner and edges with faint diagonal scratch marks over surface of engraved base., 21 x 21 mm, H. at edge 6.5 mm, H. to top of boss handle 11.5 mm, bores 3 &amp; 4 mm., Shah/Parpola 1991, PI. 1 M. 595 for the shape of these seals, PI. 30 nos. M-662-664., Two green steatite stamp-seals from Mohenjo-daro. Both of them are rather worn. The smaller one [1975:002] has a pierced knob on its back. The larger piece[1975:003]  has a groove on the same place. Probably something had been attached to it. The smaller seal is evidently of a cruder execution, compared to the other with its carving of high craftmanship.

On each seal is a representation of a unicorn, one of the fabulous creatures venerated at the site. In front of the animal is a kind of receptacle or, possibly, an altar. The cultic character of the object seems, however, sure because of its appearance only on seals. The scene is surmounted by a quaint script, which occurs on most of these types of seals and still remains undeciphered.

The site of Mohenjo-daro was one of the most important sites of the pre-historic Indus Valley civilisation, which approximately correspond to West Pakistan of today. This cultural phase endured between 2500-1500 ca B.C. Characteristic of the arts and crafts of this period are the excellent carvings on steatite seals. The figures represented on them are e.g. demigods, animals and human beings, all objects of veneration.

MM 1975:4 [should be 1975:2!]. 3x3 cm. Thickness: 0.9 cm.

MM 1975:3 2.1 x 2.1 cm. Thickness: 0.6 cm. (Winbladh 1978:81), Pakistan</pres:content><pres:context><pres:event xml:lang="en">Funnen</pres:event><pres:placeLabel xml:lang="en">Asien, Pakistan, Mohenjo-daro, Indus Valley</pres:placeLabel></pres:context><pres:image><pres:mediaType>image/jpeg</pres:mediaType><pres:src type="thumbnail">https://collections.smvk.se/carlotta-mhm/web/image/tn/5332270/MM+1975%3B002%28bulletin%29.jpg</pres:src><pres:src type="lowres">https://collections.smvk.se/carlotta-mhm/web/image/zoom/5332269/MM+1975%3B002%28bulletin%29.jpg</pres:src><pres:mediaLicense>http://kulturarvsdata.se/resurser/License#by</pres:mediaLicense><pres:byline xml:lang="en">Uppgift om fotograf saknas</pres:byline><pres:copyright xml:lang="en">Statens museer för världskultur</pres:copyright></pres:image><pres:representations><pres:representation format="HTML">http://kulturarvsdata.se/SMVK-MM/objekt/html/3400361</pres:representation><pres:representation format="XML">http://kulturarvsdata.se/SMVK-MM/objekt/xml/3400361</pres:representation><pres:representation format="RDF">http://kulturarvsdata.se/SMVK-MM/objekt/rdf/3400361</pres:representation></pres:representations></pres:item>