The Indus Civilization c9.40

c9.40

The seals were cut into shape with a saw, then finished first with a knife or chisel, and finally with an abrasive. The carving of the figures and signs was done with a small chisel, a triangular burin being sometimes used for the inscriptions; and for certain details a small drill was employed (Pl. M, 5, 13), although it was never necessary to commence a design with this tool, as was the case with the harder Sumerian seals. After the seal-amulet had been completed, it was coated with an alkali and then heated, which gave it its attractive, dead-white appearance and slightly lustrous surface. Apart from two cylindrical steatite specimens (Pl. M, 10, 11), both of Indian workmanship, the stamp seal was exclusively used at both the Indus sites.