Etymology of word bull
The origin of the bulla seal is a matter of some debate, but it is generally thought to have originated in the ancient Near East. The earliest known bullae date from the 8th millennium BC, and they were made of clay. These early bullae were used to seal documents and containers, and they often bore the impression of a seal ring. In the 4th millennium BC, bullae began to be made of lead. This was because lead was more durable than clay, and it could be easily melted and reused. Lead bullae were often used by the royal courts of the ancient Near East, and they were used to seal official documents. The use of bullae spread to the Mediterranean world in the 1st millennium BC. In the Roman Empire, bullae were used by both the government and private individuals. They were used to seal documents, contracts, and letters. Bullae were also used to decorate clothing and jewelry. The use of bullae declined in the Middle Ages, but they continued to be used by the Catholic Church. The Pope used a bu