Which ancient civilization first used branded seals on merchandise as a form of product authentication and quality guarantee?

Before modern logos and slogans, ancient civilizations had their own sophisticated methods of product branding and consumer psychology. Merchants needed ways to distinguish their goods, establish trust, and create loyal customers in bustling marketplaces from Rome to Babylon. This trivia question explores how ancient traders solved a fundamental challenge of commerce that still exists today.

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Mesopotamia (circa 3000 BCE), where cylindrical seals were pressed into clay tags attached to goods to indicate producer identity and origin
Ancient Egypt (circa 2500 BCE), where hieroglyphic cartouches on pottery indicated royal workshop production and quality standards
Ancient Greece (circa 800 BCE), where amphora handles were stamped with producer marks to verify olive oil and wine authenticity
Han Dynasty China (circa 200 BCE), where silk producers used embroidered emblems to distinguish regional manufacturing centers