Ein Hieroglyphensiegel aus Şarhöyük

Abstract

In the 2010 Şarhöyük (classical Dorylaion) campaign a biconvex Hittite button seal made of sandstone with a string hole and an inscription was discovered in the U26d grid. It bears hieroglyphs on both sides (A and B). Their iconography is mostly identical with only slight differences, the A side being in a better condition. The central areas of both sides are encircled by a ladder motif. On the right and left side of the open-mouthed and stylized central lion (L. 97 = LEO₂) are L. 370 – L. 386 (BONUS₂ VIR₂) combinations. Beneath the lion’s legs is a L. 209 (i, i[a]) sign. On the B side one can see two drops as filling motifs flanking the L. 209 sign. Both sides show three floral motifs above the lion’s body. Thus we can read the male name on both sides as L. 97 Walwa/i – L. 209 i(a). Many names including Walwa/i(a) and Walwa/i are known from Hittite cuneiform texts and hieroglyphic seals. They are occasionally recorded together with their respective titles and Walwaziti (UR.MAH-ziti), which is included in this group, is a scribe from an important family of scribes which was well-known in the reigns of Ḫattušili III. and Tutḫaliya IV. The Şarhöyük seal, however, does not contain any title.

In conclusion, the Şarhöyük seal, with its nicely engraved composition and the name Walwa/ii(a), can be dated to the 13^th century B.C.