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The Halaf Culture

Fig. 1 – Halaf ware bowl and plate – The British Museum – [1934,0210.82](https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/W_1934-0210-82) — Fig. 1 – Halaf ware bowl and plate – The British Museum – 1934,0210.82

These pottery sherds belong to the Halaf culture. Its name originates from the first recorded Halaf ware, which originated from Tell Halaf in Syria Cruells, W. & Nieuwenhuyse, O.P. (2005). The Proto-Halaf period in Syria. New sites, new data. Paléorient 30/1: 47-68.. The Halaf culture is estimated to have lasted from 6000-5000 BCE in south-eastern Turkey, Syria and northern Iran. This culture is significant in the study of prehistoric Mesopotamia, as Halaf-influenced materials are found throughout Mesopotamia and its legacy can be seen all the way into the Ubaid culture and early Sumerian artifacts. Halaf wares are characterized by vases covered by repetitive patterns of parallel bands, waves, zigzags, and geometric shapes. This can be seen in the object’s decoration pattern used for the animals. The white-red-black color scheme is also characteristic of Halaf culture. It is present in many materials found in Tell Arpachiyah, such as tableware, jewelry, and traces of dye pigments. The color scheme had a strong impact on the culture and people in Mesopotamia as it was present in post Halaf cultures of Ubaid and Sumer, as noted earlier.

Much Halaf pottery has animal figures painted on them, in order to add extra meaning to the assemblage. However, the meaning of animal motifs is often hard to interpret. Scholars like Campbell Campbell, S. (2000). The Burnt House at Arpachiyah: A Reexamination. Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 318: 1-40. have tried, studying the figurative and abstract designs, their functions and the symbolic meaning behind them.

Halaf culture pottery reflects the change in creative input of decorations and technology. This could indicate there was some form of stability in the society that allowed the people back then to explore different ideas while also staying true to their traditional decorative culture. Halaf culture pottery is exclusive to Tell Arpachiyah, where this object is from, but Halaf culture covers a large area of northern Mesopotamia which shares similar pottery and object cultures.