The agency of the every day: a comparative study of the Ubaid ceramic pottery and figurines from Ur and Arpachiyah
This thesis is a selective study of Ubaid period pottery and figurines from two Neolithic sites in modern day Iraq. Both Ur and Arpachiyah are well known Neolithic sites, but both are more notorious for time periods outside of the Ubaid. By focusing on the lesser-known history of these sites, new ideas are drawn out from them, and this work highlights the Ubaid period as important and contributing to the life history of Ur and Arpachiyah. By examining a selection of the pottery and figurines from these sites, all discussion about these objects comes back to the people who conceived of, made, used and discarded them. Much of the analysis within the thesis focuses on the inherent social nature of these objects and how it informs the lives of those using it, with their own agency. The sensory experience of handling the pottery and figurines is considered as well, using first hand observation to understand this fully. All pottery to be examined is painted whilst the figurines feature both painted and unpainted examples, and the complexity, creativity and execution of this decoration will be considered to further highlight the agency of the people who made and used these figurines. The significance of the find context of these objects will be discussed too, as this may impact their perceived use and importance.
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