5,000-year-old bureaucracy: Over 7,000 prehistoric seal impressions uncovered in western Iran

** In a fascinating convergence of ancient and modern, two recent discoveries are shedding light on the importance of access to information. In western Iran, archaeologists have uncovered over 7,000 prehistoric seal impressions, dating back 5,000 years, which provide valuable insights into the earliest bureaucratic systems. Meanwhile, researchers have proposed a simple solution to make thousands of paywalled research papers freely available, highlighting the ongoing struggle for open access to knowledge. The discovery of the ancient seal impressions was made by Dr. Shokouh Khosravi and her team, who published their findings in the journal Antiquity. The seals, which include over 200 clay figurines, clay tokens, and two cylinder seals, were found at the site of Tapeh Tyalineh, a region that was likely an important center of commercial exchange. The sheer number of seal impressions suggests that the site was home to a large administrative system, one that was necessary to manage the economic and social affairs of the time. The use of seals in ancient bureaucracies was a crucial innovation, allowing for the authentication and verification of documents and transactions. The discovery of these seal impressions provides a unique window into the development of early states and the role of administrative institutions in their emergence. As Dr. Khosravi notes, "the development of administrative institutions was a key factor in the emergence of early states, and the discovery of these seal impressions provides important evidence for this process." In contrast to the ancient world, where access to information was limited to those with the means to produce and distribute written documents, modern research is often hindered by paywalls that restrict access to knowledge. Despite progress in open access initiatives, hundreds of thousands of research papers remain locked behind publisher paywalls, even though many of them could be legally shared. Researchers Siegfried Gudergan and Wayne Bradshaw propose a simple solution to this problem. By using existing open-access policies, universities and researchers can make their papers freely available online, increasing the dissemination of knowledge and accelerating progress in various fields. As they note, "much of our open-access potential is never activated, but there are simple ways to fix this." The benefits of open access to research are numerous. It enables policymakers to make informed decisions, facilitates innovation, and promotes public debate. By making research papers freely available, researchers can also increase their impact and reach a wider audience. As Gudergan and Bradshaw argue, "publicly funded research underpins much of daily life, and when research remains inaccessible, its value is diminished." The convergence of these two stories highlights the ongoing importance of access to information. Whether it's ancient seal impressions or modern research papers, the ability to access and share knowledge is crucial for progress and innovation. As we continue to push the boundaries of human knowledge, it's essential that we prioritize open access and make information available to all. In the words of Dr. Khosravi, "the discovery of these seal impressions provides a unique window into the past, but it also reminds us of the importance of preserving and sharing knowledge for future generations." As we look to the future, it's clear that open access to information will play a critical role in shaping our understanding of the world and driving progress in various fields.