Art and Symbolism in the Halaf Culture in the Late Neolithic Period

Öz

The monumental structures uncovered in Pre-Pottery Neolithic Period settlements in Near East (Jericho, Mureybet, Jerf el-Ahmar, Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe, etc.), clay plastered skulls, objects made of stone or bone are thought to represent depiction of art or religious rituals of period. However, during Pottery Neolithic Period, known as the late stage of Neolithic Period, structures known as the dominant monumental architecture, are also known from Göbeklitepe and its vicinity, are now disappearing in the Near East. Hassuna, Samarra and Halaf cultures, which are known as North Mesopotamian cultures, give us important information about cultural and economic structures of Late Neolithic Period. In this period, it is seen that use of symbolic elements is intensified, especially on pottery or seals. During Halaf period, scenes depicting two or three storey structures, depictions of human with heads separated from their bodies, dancing human motifs, bull heads (bucranium), plant motifs on Halaf potteries give more detailed information about symbolism and art of Late Neolithic period. This study aims to give information about socio-cultural and economic structure of Halaf culture in North Mesopotamia, and to provide a reinterpretation of elements considered to represent art or religion during Halaf period.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Late Neolithic Period
• Halaf Culture and its Pottery
• Art and Symbolism in Halaf Culture

Geç Neolitik Dönem Halaf Kültürü’nde Sanat ve Sembolizm

Öz

Yakın Doğu'da Çanak Çömleksiz Neolitik Dönem yerleşim yerlerinde ortaya çıkarılan anıtsal yapılar (Jeriko, Mureybet, Jerf el-Ahmar, Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe vb.), kil sıvalı kafatasları, taş veya kemikten yapılmış objelerin dönemin tasvir sanatını veya dini ritüellerini temsil ettiği düşünülmektedir. Fakat Neolitiğ’in geç evresi olarak bilinen Çanak Çömlekli Neolitik Dönem’de, Göbeklitepe ve yakın çevresinden de tanıdığımız baskın anıtsal mimari olarak anılan yapıların artık Yakındoğu'da kullanılmadığı görülmektedir. Kuzey Mezopotamya kültürleri olarak bilinen Hassuna, Samarra ve özellikle Halaf kültürleri Çanak Çömlekli Neolitik Dönem kültürel ve sosyo-ekonomik yapıları hakkında önemli bilgiler vermektedir. Bu dönemde bilhassa çanak ve çömlekler veya mühürler üzerinde simgesel öğelerin yoğunlaştığı görülmektedir. Özellikle Halaf kültürüne ait kapların üzerindeki iki veya üç katlı yapıları betimleyen sahneler, başları gövdelerinden ayrık olan insanları içeren tasvirler, dans eden insan motifleri, boğa başları (bukranium) ve bitki motifleri Geç Neolitik Dönem sembolizmi ve sanatı hakkında daha detaylı bilgiler vermektedir. Bu çalışma, Kuzey Mezopotamya'daki Halaf kültürünün sosyo-kültürel ve ekonomik yapısı, Halaf çanak çömlekleri üzerinde yer alan sahnelerin dönemin sanatı veya dinini temsil ettiği düşünülen öğeleri hakkında bilgi vermeyi ve yeniden yorumlamayı amaçlamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Geç Neolitik Dönem
• Halaf Kültürü ve Çanak-Çömleği
• Halaf Kültüründe Sanat ve Sembolizm

Kaynakça

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