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Against the background of many neighbors Anatolia, Greece and others. Hamagia culture may have seemed a little behind. They had less technical flint techniques and mining; building design wasn’t as elaborate, there was still a significant precedent of fish and game in diet, and they had a smaller number of ceramics, with less decoration.

Located between the Danube river region and the Black Sea coast. Hamangia was named after the site of Baia-Hamangia, discovered in 1952 along Goloviţa Lake. It is in modern day Romania. (1)

The culture is believed to have begun around 5000 BC. And, lasted until around 4000 BC. Its cultural links suggest that it could have been the people from Anatolia. Unlike some of the neighboring cultures. Which appear descended from earlier neolithic settlements.

Its believed communities in the valleys of the Dobrudzha rivers and steppe areas became more conductive to sedentary inhabitants. When the climate heated up. And, the region still provided an ability to live on hunting, gathering and fishing. While being integrated into neolithic colonist.

They were small-scale cultivators and collectors who built houses, made pottery, herded and hunted animals, and fished
Hamangia culture were still engaged in a mixed economy that included farming, animal husbandry; as well as fishing, and hunting. They had crops such as wheat, barley, vetch, lentils and peas.

They lived in semi dug-in dwellings, covered with plant materials
The domestic animals are presented by cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.

Durankulak lake also became a suitable area to settle down
It was on the bank of a river, in a place rich in springs; and, adjacent to a wetland with alluvial soil suitable for processing.

Its culture had connections with neighboring regions. There was evidence of trade in obsidian, shells, and other materials
It was during the time of a rapid rise spread of shells of Mediterranean molluscs. They were widely sought after for clothing, jewlery and pottery ornamentation. Because of there location, the culture became distributors in the northern part of the Balkan Peninsula. There was a system for supplying and connecting with the Aegean. And, most likely it was based on cabotage and other good shipping.

The Hamangia culture attracted and attracts the attention of many art historians because of its exceptional clay figures and pottery

Extreme artifacts included figurines of naked faceless women. Often emphasizing the breasts and buttocks. Two figurines known as “The Thinker” and “The Sitting woman” were found and are famed by archaeologists as neolithic masterpieces.

Designs also included zoomorphic and anthropomorphic motifs. Human faces and animal figures. There’s even a rare occurrence of male statuette.

Pottery
Complex geometrical patterns are seen. Based on spiral-motifs. Shapes include: cylindrical glasses and bowls. For strength and pouring ability. Most of them have arched walls. Many are even decorated. With dots, zig-zags, and straight parallel lines.

Some of their pottery and figurines suggest a connection to fertility and ritual practices. What did you think?

Grave-goods
In the first era. Hamangia I. It tended to be without pottery. Later it included bowls, cups; flint, bone tools; and, worked shell-ornaments.

Houses
Homes were rectangular with one or two rooms. Many made of wattle and daub. Progressing to stone foundations like at Durankulak. Where they were normally arranged on a rectangular grid and formed small tells.

Settlements were located along the coast. On the coast of lakes, on lower or middle river terraces
The culture had connections with the shell trade, Black sea, and other maritime activities.

Important sites were: Durankulak; Cernavoda; and, Baia-Hamangia.
Famous statues “The Thinker” and “The Sitting Woman” were discovered at Cernavoda ;
In the Romanian province of Dobrega. The euphenous site of Baia-Hamangia was discovered in 1953. Along Lake Golovita. Close to the Black Sea coast.

The Hamangia culture is significant in the study of prehistoric Europe because of its distinctive pottery and artistic expressions, which provide insights into the cultural and social life of the people who lived in the region during the Neolithic period. It also highlights the diversity of cultures and societies that thrived in Europe during ancient times.

Cite: 1) Dumitru Berciu, Cultura Hamangia. București: Editura Academiei Republicii Socialiste România (1966).

Bibliography:
Dumitru Berciu, Cultura Hamangia. București: Editura Academiei Republicii Socialiste România (1966).

HAMANGIA CULTURE – DEVELOPMENT AND OVERVIEW (https://hamangia.eu/en/hamangia-culture/)
M. Nica, Unitate şi diversitate în culturile neolitice de la dunărea de jos = Unity and diversity of Neolithic cultures along the lower Danube (http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=2023910), Revista Pontica vol. 30 (1997)