As early as 6000 BC cultures were beginning to play with various symbols and iconography, in what would eventually lead to proto-writing. However true writing systems didn't emerge until cuneiform, which was gradually evolving into a full-fledged system at the end of the 3rd millennium BC. Yet hundreds of years before cuneiform had fully matured, people still had signatures. In the place of writing, they used cylindrical stone moulds, called cylinder seals. First appearing around 3500 BC, it is thought that cylinder seals would have been worn on a necklace, and were each carved with a unique picture - usually religious in nature, though sometimes also contemporary life scenes or simple geometric patterns. The seals could be quickly rolled across clay, either for decoration or as a signature. When instigating a trade, a clay table would be inscribed with indentations indicating the nature and quantity of items involved in the trade. Then the cylinder seal would be rolled over the indentations, and the clay would be baked. Essentially an early sales receipt.
Bonus:
Pazuzu is an ancient Assyrian/Babylonian demon king, who was blamed for bringing famine and locusts, among other misfortune. His name and likeness still occasionally find their way into contemprary popular culture, such as the cover art for the Gorillaz album 'D-Sides'.
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