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ANADOLU ARASTIRMALARI-ANATOLIAN RESEARCH, no.33, pp.290-298, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus)
This paper focuses on a Byzantine lead seal unearthed during archaeological excavations at Perge, a prominent city in the region of Pamphylia. The seal was discovered in the 2025 excavation season within a structure near the Western Gate, one of the city's late-period entrances. Accompanying archaeological finds, including coins found from the same context, provide a secure chronological framework for dating the seal to the 6th-7th centuries AD. The obverse features a cruciform monogram composed of the letters K, O, M, A, and C, while the reverse bears the inscription C Tau Rho Alpha Tau Eta Lambda Alpha Tau Omicron Upsilon. The term stratelates refers to a high-ranking military commander in the Byzantine Empire. Based on the obverse monogram, the seal can be attributed to an individual named Kosmas, who held the office of stratelates. The Perge specimen is analyzed in comparison with other known Byzantine seals displaying similar features. Although thousands of Byzantine seals are preserved in museums and private collections worldwide, information concerning their archaeological provenance remains limited. Therefore, despite their relatively small number, seals recovered through archaeological excavations are of particular importance, as they provide reliable chronological evidence and valuable insights into the local administrative and historical context.