Since the dawn of time, man has sought power over the animal world. The Neolithic Era was marked by the domestication of animals either for food or labor. This fascinating seal, abstract and elegant, is shaped like a stylized animal’s head. It is engraved with the image of a seated idol, perhaps a nature deity who caused the animals to flock and multiply. Discovered with a cache of related artifacts along the shores of Lake Van, it evokes the beginnings of Western culture as we know it. Its power and beauty are timeless, touching a chord deep in the imagination.