A Sassanian stamp seal from Rostov Velikiy

The paper examines an Iranian carved stamp seal (intaglio) of the 6th -7th centuries featuring a gryphon. The object was discovered in the occupation layer dating to the turn of the 12th century in Rostov Velikiy. The gemstone was carved using a sunk relief and line carving technique. The archaeological context of the find is reviewed and known analogies are provided. It has been the third find of this type made in the East European Plain, which is dated to this period. Based on the form and the size of the stamp seal, it may be suggested that in medieval Russian society it was, probably, used as a game piece, similar to wide-spread items made from antler, glass, stone and clay. The surface of the stamp seal shows quite visible signs of attrition, confirming this suggestion.