Seals in the Old Kingdom

Types of seals from the predynastic to the end of the First Intermediate Period
(about 3500 - 2000 BC)

Cylinder seals

The first seals were imported from Mesopotamia:
Cylinder seals were already in use in Naqada II.
In the First Dynasty seals with the dead sitting in front of a table came in use, they might have had some magical or ritual meaning, while most of the seals are used in the administration.

cylinder seals found in Mesopotamia.

how seals were used

animal seals

seals with the dead sitting in front of an offering table

Cylinder seals used mainly in administration (see the table)

Name seals
Seals of princes
Seals of an office
Seals of officials
Seals of Kings
Ring name seals

Cylinder seals of unknown use

cylinders with figures
degenerated seals with king's names

Button seals

Button seals in the Old Kingdom and the First Intermediate Period

Bibliography

Further reading

The first seals were imported from Mesopotamia: Cylinder seals were already in use in Naqada II. In the First Dynasty seals with the dead sitting in front of a table came in use, they might have had some magical or ritual meaning, while most of the seals are used in the administration.
cylinder seals found in Mesopotamia.	how seals were used	animal seals	seals with the dead sitting in front of an offering table