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The introduction of the lapidary engraving wheel in Mesopotamia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Margaret Sax ,
Nigel D. Meeks  and
Dominique Collon
Margaret Sax
Affiliation:
Department of Scientific Research, British Museum, London WC1B 3DG, England
Nigel D. Meeks
Affiliation:
Department of Scientific Research, British Museum, London WC1B 3DG, England
Dominique Collon
Affiliation:
Department of Western Asiatic Antiquities, British Museum, London WC1B 3DG, England
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Abstract

Scanning electron microscopy provides an insight into the lapidary techniques of the ancient Near East. Engraved features on quartz cylinder seals have been compared to those produced experimentally, leading to a radical reassessment of the date for the introduction of the engraving wheel.

Keywords

scanning electron microscopycylinder sealstoneengraving techniquewheel-cuttingreplication
Type
Papers
Information
Antiquity , Volume 74 , Issue 284 , June 2000 , pp. 380 - 387
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 2000

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