Mesopotamia has been regarded as the cradle of ancient glyphic arts with the earliest cylinder seal proven to be first executed in Bronze Age Mesopotamia. The earliest cylinder seals can be dated as early as the fourth millennium BC. Since the fashion of engraving naturalistic images on precious and semi-precious stones began (Circa 3500 BC), each historical period contributed different significant aesthetic styles and technical developments to revive Mesopotamian glyphic arts. Griffins, one of the most favoured motifs, were frequently used by Akkadian artists on cylinder seals.
For more on cylinder seals, see our relevant blog post: Mesopotamian Cylinder Seals
