ANIMAL MOTIFS ON PREHISTORIC POTTERY IN MESOPOTAMIA

Objective: This study aims to explore the symbolic and artistic significance of animal
motifs depicted by ancient humans, focusing on their application to pottery and their
lasting influence on subsequent artistic traditions. Method: A qualitative analysis was
conducted by examining various animal motifs painted on ancient pottery vessels,
complemented by a historical review of their cultural and functional contexts. The study
analyzed the use of natural pigments and artistic techniques employed despite the
limited tools available during the period. Results: The findings reveal that animal
motifs served multiple purposes, including protection from perceived dangers, magical
practices in hunting, and artistic expression. These motifs, characterized by their
symbolic nature and precise execution, illustrate the aesthetic sensibilities of ancient
Iraqi artists. Their enduring presence influenced artistic developments in later eras,
indicating a continuity of symbolic representation in Mesopotamian art. Novelty: This
research highlights the early integration of symbolic motifs in utilitarian objects,
demonstrating how primitive artistic practices contributed to the evolution of cultural
and artistic identities in ancient Iraq, an aspect often underrepresented in existing
archaeological studies.