Recent archaeological work in northern Kuwait has uncovered a fascinating discovery: a clay head that represents the culture of a prehistoric people from around 5500 to 4900 BCE.
The unusual sculpture was found at the Bahra 1 site in the Al-Subiyah desert, reports ScienceAlert.
It features an elongated skull, flat nose, no mouth, and narrow eyes, making it resemble a "snake person" figure typical of the Ubaid culture.
The discovery adds new evidence about the spread of Ubaid practices throughout western Asia.
Piotr Bieliński, an archaeologist involved in the project, pointed out that the find raises important questions about the role and possible ritualistic value of such sculptures for the ancient community.
Before the Sumerians established one of the world's first great civilizations, the Ubaid culture laid many of the foundations.
They created trade networks, built irrigation systems, and constructed landmarks like temples in areas that are now part of Iraq and Kuwait. The Ubaid people are best known for their distinctive pottery style.
Since 2009, the Bahra 1 site has attracted attention for its unique archaeological features. These include a "cultic building" and an architectural layout that is unexpected for its time.
Artifacts found here have also solved the mystery of the "Coarse Red Ware" pottery, which was widely distributed across the region but whose origin had been unknown.
The remains of a pottery workshop at Bahra 1 have now been identified, shedding light on the production of this pottery.
In addition to pottery, researchers found plant material embedded in the clay of both locally produced and imported Ubaid pottery.
This discovery helps archaeologists connect the site to a broader Ubaid cultural network and provides insights into the ecology of the region over 7,000 years ago.
Early analyses have revealed traces of wild plants like reeds in local pottery and evidence of cultivated plants, including barley and wheat, in imported Ubaid wares.
Another significant find is a type of figurine called Ophidian, which resembles snakes or reptiles.
These terra-cotta figures have unique features, like "coffee-bean" eyes and dotted bodies meant to represent scales.
Though the exact meaning of these figurines remains unclear, most have been found in domestic settings or graves.
The discovery at Bahra 1 extends the understanding of these figures and their connection to the Ubaid culture.
