Figurines in Prehistoric Mesopotamia

This chapter surveys the figures of prehistoric Mesopotamia, from the Epipalaeolithic to the end of the Ubaid periods (10,000–4000 bp). Figurines take a wide range of forms in different times and places, but there are also marked continuities. As well as discussion of context and breakage, there is also consideration of the modelling or omission of sexual features on figurines. Increasing numbers of figurines during the period probably can be associated with a greater diversity of material culture, and suggests that figurines can be related to changes in other aspects of society, something that is mirrored in the decline of their numbers towards 4000 bp.