Bucrania

This distinct motif is frequently found within Halaf wares with animal motifs instead of the classic geometric patterns. It is categorized as bucrania, an umbrella term for animals representing aurochs (ancient oxen) or cattle heads. Both species are frequently present in Halaf period zooarchaeological records Grimbergen, L. The social uses of animals in the Halaf Period: On the meanings of animal remains and animal representations. Leiden University, 2016. Unpublished. pp. 63.. It is only found on painted pottery, but there are also bucrania designs found in stone, bone, terra-cotta, sun dried clay objects Mallowan, Max E.L., and J. Cruikshank Rose. Prehistoric Assyria: the Excavations at Tall Arpachiyah 1933. London [etc.]: Oxford University Press, 1935. Print. pp. 155.

The symbolism associated with the bucranium decoration is again difficult. It could mean something simple, reflecting the change in lifestyle with cattle being fully domesticated by the Halaf period.Grimbergen, L. The social uses of animals in the Halaf Period: On the meanings of animal remains and animal representations. Leiden University, 2016. Unpublished. pp. 63..

Research on bucrania and bull imagery symbolism from Çatalhöyük explored theories related to symbolism of the son and lover of the Great Mother Goddess, symbol of life and regenerationRelke, Joan. “Interpreting the Bucrania of Çatalhöyük: James Mellaart, Dorothy Cameron, and Beyond.” Anthrozoös 20.4 (2007): 317–328. Web.. Çatalhöyük is located in southern Anatolia with a time frame contemporary to Tell Arpachiyah. Mellaart’s theory that bucrania symbolizes the son and lover of the Great Mother Goddess is the earliest interpretation there is on bull/cattle heads found in Çatalhöyük. He saw the splayed figure of bucrania as the Mother Goddess giving birth to her son. The other theory on the symbol of life and regeneration is by Cameron, who saw the shape of bucrania head similar to female reproductive systemRelke, Joan. “Interpreting the Bucrania of Çatalhöyük: James Mellaart, Dorothy Cameron, and Beyond.” Anthrozoös 20.4 (2007): 317–328. Web..

Religious symbolism can be questioned, but Mesopotamian society had a strong importance and connection with bulls and cattle in 6000-5000 BCE - not only Çatalhöyük, but also in Tell Arpachiyah. The number of images of bucrania is high in Halaf culture and the region associated with the Halaf zone and period, like the pottery sherd design and wall installation in Çatalhöyük.