Echoes of the First City-State in Anatolia: Arslantepe’s 5,500-Year-Old Seal Exhibited for the First Time

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Arslantepe Mound in eastern Türkiye is once again in the spotlight — this time for two extraordinary artifacts that bridge the dawn of civilization with the modern age.

As part of the Culture Route Festival organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the “102 Artifacts for the 102nd Anniversary of the Republic” exhibition opened at the Arslantepe Visitor Center in Malatya. The showcase invites visitors to explore the roots of statehood and art in ancient Anatolia.

For the first time, two remarkable finds from Arslantepe are on display: a 5,500-year-old cylinder seal believed to have belonged to the ruling elite, and a 3,000-year-old ivory plaque decorated with flame and leaf motifs — possibly a decorative element from ancient furniture.

Murat Ata, Director of the Malatya Museum, emphasized the importance of these artifacts:

“Arslantepe represents the earliest known city-state in Anatolia. The seal likely belonged to an administrative figure, reflecting the rise of early bureaucracy. The ivory plaque, on the other hand, shows artistic connections with Mesopotamia and the Levant, most likely brought here through ancient trade networks.”

Opened on October 4, the exhibition features 29 artifacts unearthed from various excavations across Malatya, attracting strong public interest.

The newly revealed seal and ivory plaque not only highlight the administrative sophistication of early Anatolian societies, but also illustrate how Arslantepe served as a bridge between Mesopotamia and the emerging urban cultures of the Near East.

Cover Photo: A 5,500-year-old cylinder seal and a 3,000-year-old ivory plaque with flame and leaf motifs from Arslantepe Mound are displayed for the first time at the “102 Artifacts for the 102nd Anniversary of the Republic” exhibition. (Credit: Okan Çoşkun/AA)