This seal of the Persian King Darius (521-486 B.C.) shows one more use of ceramics: It retained the image after many sealings, and after many centuries.

Darius was the same King of the Persians who conquered Ionia and invaded Greece, touching off an enormous war and incidentally, prodding Herodotos to begin writing history. However, this is taking us out of the Ancient Period and into the Classical Age. Clicking on "Next" will continue the Ceramic Survey with the Classical Age, or on "Syllabus" to exit the survey.  (British Museum, Photo by M.Markowski)