Part 1 — Certification in human history, a pillar of trust from antiquity to the web3 : Antiquity
Welcome to this series of articles on certification through the ages. In this first part, we’ll explore how certification has changed societies in the great periods of humanity. From antiquity to the modern era, from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, how techniques have evolved to bring us to blockchain certification, the apex of the pyramid of technological evolution.
Certification in human history, the pillar of trust from antiquity to the web3.
Antiquity: A look at seals and other methods
Introduction
Since time immemorial, mankind has had to invent systems to validate and authenticate goods, know-how and other commodities. Certification has always been an essential pillar for establishing trust, guaranteeing authenticity and creating relationships of trust within societies. It is also a means of transporting the authenticity of a thing through time and space. Certification saves time, because it replaces the need for verification at each transaction. In the absence of certification, all that remains is trust between individuals, which, while fundamental, can sometimes be betrayed or manipulated. Today, a major blockchain ecosystem project sums up this idea:
Less trust more truth.
This idea was already true in ancient times, and to obtain more truth, certification was already present.
Thus, ancient civilizations developed various methods to advance their societies and facilitate trade, commerce and life in general. In this article, we’ll explore the certification practices of some of the great ancient civilizations, including Rome, Greece, Egypt and the Germanic tribes. We’ll highlight how these civilizations used methods such as seals, citizen cards, runes and more to certify various aspects of ancient life.
Germanic civilization
Germanic tribes had their own methods of certification to guarantee the quality and authenticity of weapons and other prestige objects. Germanic blacksmiths were highly respected for their skills in making quality weapons. To certify the provenance and quality of their creations, smiths engraved runes on the blades of swords, axes and other weapons. These runes, specific alphabetical characters, could bear inscriptions such as the smith’s name, symbols of protection, prayers for power, or membership of a clan or, later, a lord.
In Merovingian and Germanic times, runes were much more than just a writing system. They played a crucial role in the certification process, particularly for prestigious objects. One of the most remarkable examples of this practice can be found in Burial 11 at the Saint-Dizier necropolis in Haute-Marne, France. Here, archaeologists have unearthed a Bifrons-Gilton ringed sword pommel, richly decorated with a complex runic inscription. This inscription, comprising four sticks and three branches, bears the runic formula “alu” or “æ l u”, an expression frequently observed on similar objects from this period.
This sword pommel is much more than a simple artifact. It testifies to the importance of runes in authenticating high-value goods. Runic inscriptions were used to guarantee the authenticity and quality of these objects. What’s more, they have a profound symbolic meaning, lending a “timeless” dimension to these precious items. Runes also had a magical and protective role, reinforcing their use in certification.
This archaeological discovery highlights the fact that Merovingian and Germanic civilizations used sophisticated methods of certification long before the modern era. Runes were the symbol of trust in these ancient societies, attesting that the certification of goods and transactions was essential to maintaining social and economic order. They are a reminder that certification has always adapted to meet the needs of society, establishing a link between ancient practices and modern certification systems.
Egyptian civilization
Certification is a fundamental pillar of society in ancient civilizations. It was already manifested through various practices and traditions on the banks of the Nile in 1500 BC. The ancient Egyptians had well-established certification methods, notably using hieroglyphics to authenticate various elements of their culture.
Hieroglyphics, these complex, stylized symbols, were not only decorative, but also essential authentication tools. They were commonly used on the walls of Egyptian temples and pyramids to certify a pharaoh’s devotion to the gods. These hieroglyphic inscriptions were a form of public certification of the legitimacy of the pharaoh’s reign and his divine power. Hieroglyphics were also used to record the military exploits and achievements of his reign, adding a layer of authenticity to the historical record of ancient Egypt.
Hieroglyphs were extremely varied, allowing for rich artistic expression while fulfilling crucial certification roles. They were engraved on monuments, tombs and precious objects, guaranteeing their authenticity. Beyond religious devotion and historical records, hieroglyphs were also used in commerce.
But the Egyptians used other methods to certify goods. Seals were used to mark containers and commercial documents. These seals were often personalized with inscriptions of the owner’s or trader’s name, certifying the origin and integrity of the goods. This practice reinforced confidence in commercial transactions at the time.
The sealing ring, combined with an official seal, played a central role in the delegation of authority. A notable example is that of Joseph, a Hebrew, son of the patriarch Jacob, who, despite arriving in Egypt as a slave and having been unjustly imprisoned, was entrusted with the high office of prime minister by Pharaoh. The Bible tells us: “Then Pharaoh took off his sealing ring and put it on Joseph’s finger.” This sealing ring bore an official seal, giving Joseph the authority to fulfill his new duties. The biblical aspect is only presented to prove to us the long human tradition of the need for recognition through certification.
Other ancient civilizations also shared the importance of certification. In ancient Israel, Queen Jezebel used King Ahab’s seal to seal letters falsely accusing a man named Naboth. The Persian king Ahasuerus used a sealing ring to authenticate his decrees. The Bible also mentions seals used to guarantee the inviolability of entries, such as Daniel’s imprisonment in the lion’s den.
Today, archaeologists and historians are taking a close interest in these ancient seals and hieroglyphs, as they shed new light on ancient practices and provide a better understanding of the importance of certification in ancient history. This scientific study of seals, known as sigillography, has become a major field of research, highlighting the lasting impact of these certification practices on the preservation of authenticity, integrity and trust in ancient civilizations.
“Certification is the guarantee of trust.” — Samuel Hopkins
Ancient Roman Civilization
Roman civilization played a key role in the development of certification systems, particularly with regard to citizenship, property and trade. In Roman times, being a citizen was a highly coveted privilege, and the Romans had sophisticated methods for certifying this status.
Roman citizen cards, known as “tesserae,” were pieces of personal identification issued by the authorities. Often made of metal, ivory or bone, they were inscribed with the citizen’s name, status and rights. These tesserae served as tangible proof of Roman citizenship and gave access to specific privileges, such as the right to vote and to hold public office.
In the realm of property, the Romans used title deeds to certify legal possession of land. These titles, called “tabulae” or “codices,” were legal documents recording ownership details, including the owner’s name, property description and territorial boundaries. They served as legal evidence in land disputes and guaranteed property rights.
When it came to trade, the Romans used seals to certify the authenticity of commercial documents, such as contracts of sale and purchase. These seals, often made of wax, featured distinctive marks, emblems or personal inscriptions. When both parties to a commercial transaction affixed their seals to the contract, this created indisputable proof of the agreement.
However, it’s important to note that Roman certification was also used in less ethical contexts, such as the trade in slaves and stolen goods. Roman slaves, considered as property, were often branded with their owner’s seal to certify their slave status and ownership. Similarly, stolen goods could be certified as legitimate by forged documents and seals, helping to fuel the illegal market.
Roman civilization developed sophisticated methods of certification to regulate citizenship, property and trade. These practices played a key role in preserving social and economic order, although their use was not always limited to ethical purposes. Ancient Roman certification has left a lasting legacy that has influenced the way we manage citizenship rights, property and commercial transactions in the modern world.
Greek Civilization
Ancient Greece, famous for its rich history and cultural complexity, also had well-established certification methods. From the early 3rd millennium BC to the dark ages, seals of all kinds were produced in the Aegean islands and mainland Greece. In the Minoan civilization, these seals were formed from ivory, soft stone and then hard stone, requiring sophisticated engraving techniques. During the Late Bronze Age, the Greeks developed lens-shaped seals and signing rings, features that would endure for centuries. During the Hellenistic period, intaglio seals became an art of luxury, as witnessed by the collection of King Mithridates VI. These certification practices were deeply rooted in Greek society and were of particular importance.
Greek citizenship was a highly valued status, and Greek citizens were certified by the state. Citizens were issued with citizen cards, called “periegesis”, which served as proof of their status and their right to participate in the political and social life of the city. These cards were tangible certificates conferring various rights, including the ability to take an active part in the affairs of the city.
In the field of commerce, the Greeks used seals to mark containers of goods and commercial documents. These seals often included inscriptions of the owner’s or trader’s name, certifying the origin and integrity of the goods.
Ancient Greek democracy, particularly in Athens, was based on the direct participation of citizens in political decision-making. Certification played a very important role. The citizens’ assembly “Ecclesia” had to be made up of verified citizens, to ensure that one of the main assemblies was free from any doubts about its legitimacy.
Certification in ancient Greece reflected the values of citizenship, devotion to the gods and recognition of individual merit. Citizen cards and inscriptions on monuments were concrete examples of how Greek society emphasized and preserved the importance of these elements to guarantee social order, community cohesion and the durability of remarkable achievements.
Conclusion
The history of certification in ancient civilizations is rich and diverse. It reflects the way these societies developed unique methods for guaranteeing the authenticity, quality and legitimacy of various aspects of their lives. From Egyptian hieroglyphs to Germanic runes and Greek citizen cards, these practices have left tangible evidence of the importance of certification in preserving trust and social cohesion.
From time immemorial, certification has been adapted, because without it, all that’s left to build relationships is trust between humans. This trust, while essential, can sometimes be betrayed, which is why civilizations have developed certification systems to move their societies forward. Certification was much more than a mere formality; it was a pillar of trust, social cohesion and the preservation of history. And so, through the centuries, certification has left its indelible mark on humanity, continuing to influence our modern world.
In a future article, we’ll explore how these technologies evolved to shape feudal society in the Middle Ages.
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