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Sealings recovered from the Omo M10 temple, a provincial center of the Andean Tiwanaku state (AD 500–1100), and from the Muru Ut Pata neighborhood of the Tiwanaku capital, as well as a signet ring from the Akapana East complex of Tiwanaku's highland capital, shed light on the hitherto undocumented use of seals and sealings in Central Andean complex society. The identification of Tiwanaku sealings related to the signet ring seal has implications for understanding the transmission of identity, authority, and authenticity over time and distance in early Andean states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For adhesively retained ceramic crown of various types, it has been clinically observed that the most catastrophic failures initiate from the cement interface as a result of radial crack formation as opposed to Hertzian contact stresses originating on the occlusal surface. In this work, a 3D failure prognosis model is developed for interface initiated failures of monolithic ceramic crowns. The surface flaw distribution parameters determined by biaxial flexural tests on ceramic plates and point-to-point variations of multi-axial stress state at the intaglio surface are obtained by finite element stress analysis. They are combined on the basis of fracture mechanics based statistical failure probability model to predict failure probability of a monolithic crown subjected to single-cycle indentation load. The proposed method is verified by prior 2D axisymmetric model and experimental data. Under conditions where the crowns are completely bonded to the tooth substrate, both high flexural stress and high interfacial shear stress are shown to occur in the wall region where the crown thickness is relatively thin while high interfacial normal tensile stress distribution is observed at the margin region. Significant impact of reduced cement modulus on these stress states is shown. While the analyses are limited to single-cycle load-to-failure tests, high interfacial normal tensile stress or high interfacial shear stress may contribute to degradation of the cement bond between ceramic and dentin. In addition, the crown failure probability is shown to be controlled by high flexural stress concentrations over a small area, and the proposed method might be of some value to detect initial crown design errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An unusual gold ring from Afghanistan, set with a garnet intaglio, is now in the al-Sabah Museum collection, Kuwait (inv. no. LNS 4598 J). This ring illustrates how in the early centuries CE iconographic elements from both the East and the West were combined and adapted in Afghanistan to suit local religious beliefs. The iconography of both the gold ring-setting and the garnet intaglio is based on classical prototypes. The eagle and child motif on the gold ring is close to classical versions of Ganymede and the eagle; and the standing female figure on the intaglio is clearly a fertility goddess derived from images of Aphrodite, who is often accompanied by a small Eros orputto. Neither the female deity nor the half-figure on the intaglio can be identified with any certainty, but parallels can be drawn between them and other figures on a number of Classical and Sasanian intaglios, coins, and silver objects. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The study of ancient seals has always been attracting scholars due to the presence of a large variety of designs, symbols, short legends and individual characters. The broad spectrum of this material help to know various aspects of the past like art, chronology, iconography, palaeography etc. The author found one of such seals of great significance which was published fifty years ago. The figures displayed on this seal have close similarity with those found on some gold coins of the Great Kushans (2nd century). Mukherjee who published this seal put it in the chronological sequence of the two Kushan kings after its resemblance with the reverse design of some gold coins of Kanishka and Huvishka. The present authors owes this opportunity to reinvestigate the said seal in the light of further numismatic evidences which were not duly consulted when it was first published. In view of some rare issues of Huvishka' copper the seal under discussion can be assigned to the period of this ruler (second half of the 2nd century) of the Kushans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on the sealings found on the excavations at the site of Kafir Kala in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Background information on the excavations conducted at the site; Stratigraphical units into which the layers identified at the site were divided; Arrangement in which the sealings were found; Material from which the sealings were made; Description of the sealings.

Looks into the influence of the Ottomans evident in the seal of Sultan Alauddin Riayat Syah of Aceh, Indonesia. Size of the seal; Discussion of the intaglio and relief carving in Islamic seals; Presence of small decorative elements on the seal.

Examines an intaglio depicting Hercules being offered a wreath by Victory, cut in a dark cornelian and set in a copper-alloy brooch. Description of the brooch; Discussion on the intaglio.

Provides information on the jasper intaglio Roman signet ring submitted at the Institute of Archaeology in Oxford, England. Description of the gemstone; Historical background of the gem; Discussion on the rarity of the ard/plough on gems.

In 1997, excavations conducted by the University of Amsterdam at Geraki (Lakonia) led to the discovery of a group of clay sealings amid burnt debris dating to Early Helladic IIB. The unexpectedness of finding clay sealings of such early date at this relatively unknown, inland site has prompted this preliminary report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]