Archaeological culture · c. 5500–4800 BCE

Samarra culture

A farming culture of central Mesopotamia along the middle Tigris, known for finely made pottery painted with stylised animals, including birds, and geometric patterns. At Tell es-Sawwan near Samarra, evidence of irrigation and flax growing shows a prosperous, organised society.

Its people were among the first to farm the dry lowlands by bringing river water to their fields, a step toward the later cities of the south.

See Samarra culture on the map in 5500 BCE →

On the map

5500–4800 BCE