5,000-year-old bureaucracy: Over 7,000 prehistoric seal impressions uncovered in western Iran
Phys.org
February 22, 2026
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In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists have uncovered over 7,000 prehistoric seal impressions in western Iran, the largest such collection ever found. This remarkable find, detailed in the journal *Antiquity* by Dr. Shokouh Khosravi, offers insight into an advanced administrative system dating back 5,000 years. Alongside the seals, researchers discovered more than 200 clay figurines, tokens, and two cylinder seals at Tapeh Tyalineh, a site believed to have been a major commercial hub. These artifacts suggest that the region was a bustling center of trade, requiring sophisticated record-keeping and governance, as evidenced by the extensive use of seals for transactions.
The discovery sheds light on the organizational complexity of early human societies. The sheer number of seal impressions indicates a highly structured system likely used to authenticate or track goods during extensive commercial exchanges. This level of administrative detail is unprecedented in prehistoric sites, highlighting the sophistication of ancient bureaucratic practices. The presence of clay figurines and tokens further supports the idea that these objects served as tools for communication, measurement, or symbolic representation, all integral to managing trade networks.
This finding challenges previous assumptions about when complex administrative systems first emerged. By pushing back the timeline on such practices by several millennia, it suggests that early humans developed intricate governance structures much earlier than previously thought. The discovery not only enriches our understanding of ancient economies but also underscores the role of material culture in shaping early societal organization. For science enthusiasts and researchers alike, this breakthrough offers a fresh perspective on the origins of human complexity and innovation.
The implications of this discovery are profound, rewriting the narrative of pre
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Originally published on Phys.org on 2/22/2026