Ḥassūna-Sāmarrāʿ Period
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The Hassuna-Sāmanna Period refers to an early Mesopotamian archaeological culture dating from approximately 5750 to 5050 BCE. This period is characterized by advanced village life in northern Iraq, with evidence of substantial houses, grain storage in large clay vessels, and baked bread.1
A key feature of this era is the distinctive pottery. Initially, Hassuna culture produced large, oval dishes likely used as husking trays. Later, during the Hassuna-Sāmanna period, a new style known as Sāmanna ware emerged. This pottery, brought by craftsmen from modern-day Iran, featured new shapes and bold, painted motifs. Finds from this period demonstrate extensive trade networks across the ancient Middle East. The Sāmanna culture is specifically defined by its black-on-buff pottery, following the earlier Hassuna culture.12
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Mesopotamian art and architectureHence, Hassuna, Hassuna-Sāmarrāʾ, and Halaf in northern Iraq are the names given to the first three periods during which known early settlements were successively occupied by peoples whose relations were apparently with Syria and Anatolia. The designs on their pottery, sometimes in more than one colour, usually…
Read MoreHence, Hassuna, Hassuna-Sāmarrāʾ, and Halaf in northern Iraq are the names given to the first three periods during which known early settlements were successively occupied by peoples whose relations were apparently with Syria and Anatolia. The designs on their pottery, sometimes in more than one colour, usually…
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Mesopotamian religionCultural backgroundThe prehistoric cultural stages of Ḥassūna-Sāmarrāʿ and Ḥalaf (named after the sites of archaeological excavations) succeeded each other here before there is evidence of settlement in the south (the area that was later called Sumer). There the earliest settlements, such as Eridu, appear to have been founded about 5000 bce,…
Read MoreThe prehistoric cultural stages of Ḥassūna-Sāmarrāʿ and Ḥalaf (named after the sites of archaeological excavations) succeeded each other here before there is evidence of settlement in the south (the area that was later called Sumer). There the earliest settlements, such as Eridu, appear to have been founded about 5000 bce,…
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