A multi-level approach to the study of the seal impressions

Recent discovery of clay-sealings and clay-tablets' hoards in ancient sites from the Mediterranean countries to the Indian Subcontinent enriched the acquired knowledge on seal impressions. Excavations brought to light new statistic and extrinsic data: the need of a complex analysis of the seal impressions is the direct consequence of the increased information and a new approach has been defined during specific studies. The current trend is to discriminate between intrinsic and extrinsic data by defining the different levels of information. The aim of this paper is to point by selected examples to the results of some recent works and to focus on the new multi-level approach to the study of seal impressions.