Institutional symbols in Early Dynastic glyptic art?

The research presented here is based on some considerations related to the so-called Fara Style and the “Contest Scenes”. The numerous seals ascribed to this style are usually described as uniform, as far as the subject is concerned. If it is true that such a big amount of seals bears so similar designs that we cannot distinguish them and that we are forced to ascribe the group to a unique and quite uniform style, Fara seals should be considered not attending to their basic function. A seal is, in fact, required to be immediately recognized in order to mark and certify ownership, and thus to warrant the reliability of what was sealed. In this article, Fara and Abu Salabikh sealings will be analyzed in order to understand if these ED Glyptic representations bear a value that goes beyond their aesthetic one, correlating the recurrence of specific symbols and motifs to a specific function in the administration.