How did painted pottery from Susiana use stylized animals and birds?

In the prehistoric art of Susiana, painted pottery featured stylized representations of animals and birds, such as running dogs and waterfowl, which were typically executed in dark colors against a light ground.12

These figures were skillfully adapted to the sensitive shapes of the clay vessels, with their curves and angularities implying a long history of evolutionary experimentation. The simplified silhouettes were often arranged in repetitive friezes, forming bands of enrichment that served to articulate the plastic features of the pottery. These designs were frequently combined with geometric motifs, creating a sophisticated decorative style that distinguished Susiana pottery from contemporary traditions in southern Mesopotamia.12