Cylinder seals were carved in reverse to create a raised impression; their whole imagery was only revealed when rolled out onto a clay surface. The scene on this example depicts two pairs of evenly matched contestants. "It does seem to indicate the balancing of forces of nature," says curator Yelena Rakic.
Watch Museum technician Shawn Osborne use the cylinder seal to make a modern impression.
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As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
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