The ancient history of Central Eurasia abounds in examples of writingstyles and mediums from notched sticks and knotted strings, to writing ontree leaves and bark, incising tombstones, casting coinage or blocking onpaper money, to the artistic production of elaborately illuminated manuscripts.One area of "script" often overlooked is literally the writing onman or animal. Just as with written documents, there were customs and/orregulations which governed where to affix such signs. Whether attached toa document or physically imprinted on man or animal, each had to beauthenticated. The application of such seals or stamps (state or private)were often secured as legal testament with an expected effect or ensuingconsequences if disregarded. Like their counterparts on documents, suchsigns on man or animal had a wide range of application
