Culture of El Obeid
Introduction
Period of El Obeid or El Ubaid are the historiographical names of a protohistoric period of Mesopotamia.[1].
Tell el-Obeid or el-Ubaid are the transcriptions into the Latin alphabet of the current Arabic toponym that archaeologically corresponds to a settlement in Lower Mesopotamia, whose material culture, identified in its extension by a large area of the Ancient Near East, is known as El Obeid culture.[2] This culture is considered the first stage of the Sumerian civilization, although the real origin of the Sumerian civilization remains unknown. Sumerians as a people.
The tell that identifies this archaeological site is located a short distance west of the ancient city of Ur.
History
The first testimonies of this culture have been dated to around 5000 BC. C. and reached its greatest development around 4500. Around 4000 BC. C. is widespread throughout much of the Middle East, this cultural unit lasting until 3700 BC. C. approximately.[2] The beginning of this stage approximately coincides with the entry into the region of nomads from the Zagros Mountains.[3].
Archaeologically, the El Obeid period is divided into four subperiods. According to the School of Lyon, each of them corresponds to one of the periods in the history of the Middle East,[4] beginning Obeid I in "period 6" and Obeid IV in "period 9".[5].
Technology
During the period of El Obeid, agriculture advanced thanks to the control of surface waters through canal-based irrigation techniques.[6] This development allowed agriculture to flourish in new areas of Mesopotamia.[2].
The ceramics of this period developed through very characteristic features, quite different from those of the previous Halaf culture: greenish paste with light slip; bowls, plates and small jugs as more prolific elements and geometric decoration on a light background. The ceramic forms are evolving: thinner ceramic walls, the appearance of "turtle vessels", different containers equipped with handles, and even bottles with long necks.[7] The expansion of this ceramic throughout the Mesopotamian basin to the Mediterranean is an example of the momentum that the El Obeid culture experienced.[2].