Shepherds of the black-headed people - New York Art Resources ...

oriented towards a treelike element. 15 A related theme from Susamay be adduced. 16- 4. Two slightly different series of scenes usher in the themeof animal husbandry and milk processing, involving reed huts with arounded tip and other, rectangular architectural creations. 17 Thefirst series differs from the second mainly in the position of the maleperson (sitting vs. standing) and in the presence or absence ofcattle protruding from the hut. The similarity of the different sealswithin one series is striking. It may legitimately be asked why suchmotifs occur in so many examples and why the individualtreatments are so close to one another. The motifs are visiblyderived from representations of the Late Uruk period, where thereed hut, the cattle, and the squatting person processing milk in alarge jar with round bottom are well attested (e.g. at the Anuziggurat of Uruk 18 and in Habuba Kabira South). 19- 5. A personage, represented en face, sitting on the groundwith widely spread legs, 20 also heeds towards Late Uruk for itspredecessors. 21In addition to the above mentioned themes which are derived fromthe Late Uruk tradition, the SIS 8-4 sealings also betray influencesof more contemporary artistic creations such as the Glazed Steatiteglyptic. 22 Sealings like UE III: 167-169 combine standard decors ofthe Glazed Steatite glyptic style with motifs which are developedfrom Late Uruk animal files or pigtailed women scenes.In general, a continuous development from Late Uruk imagery tothat of the Ur SIS 8-4 strata can be observed, with distinctive ED Imarkers appearing gradually but visibly. One of these is definitelythe banquet theme, an innovation of the ED period. 23 Thebanqueters drink beer and eat bread and fish. However, theinvolved offering bearers, especially on UE III: 379, seem to be15 UE III: 207-214.16 Amiet 1972, Pl. 5, 471.17 First series: UE III: 45 (SIS 6-7) and 336-351; second series: 353-362.18 Boehmer 1999, Abb. 89, 90; Collon 1987, no. 12.19 Strommenger 1980; see Boehmer 1999, Abb. 117, 85 Abb. XIX.20 UE III: 42 (SIS 6?), and 268-270.21 Amiet 1972, Pl. 14, 616-618 (from Susa); compare also the figure (a longheareddaemon?) on sealings from Uruk-Eanna (Boehmer 1999, Abb. 65,66).22 See Pittman 1994.23 UE III: 373-383.24