7000-Year-Old Reptile Figurines Found In Iraq, Made By Ancient Civilization Before Sumerians

November 14, 2020

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7000-year old artifacts were found in the Al Ubaid archaeological site, depicting human-like figures with the characteristics of lizards. The site is located in modern Iraq, but the age of the artifacts is estimated to be even older than the civilization of the Sumerians.

Reptile looking figurines are 7000-year old possibly made in the Ubaid period

Archaeologists claimed that between 5500 – 4000 BC, there was a prehistoric culture known as the “Ubaidian Culture” in Mesopotamia, which is believed to have laid the foundation for the civilization of the Sumerians.

The Ubaidian people reportedly lived in villages with mud-houses. They also developed the techniques of agriculture, irrigation, and built architecture.

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It is believed that Ubaid culture laid the foundation of Sumerian civilization

The artifacts were found in the site called Tell Al’Ubaid, a hill located near Ur, the ancient Sumerian city. Harry Reginald Hal was the first person who noticed this attractive hill and excavated the site in 1919.

Among the ruins and various intriguing artifacts left by the Ubaidian people, very diverse and strange ancient clay figurines were found. These were anthropomorphic figures of men and women. But the proportions of the body and head of those ancient figurines caused a real shock.

The artifacts have unusually broad shoulders, covered by some kind of pads and helmets on their heads.

They are seen in various poses holding various objects, for example, poles and scepters. As for the female figures, they have babies sucking their breasts. They also look like lizards.

7000 year old lizardmen — The site called Tell Al’Ubaid where these figurines were found was first excavated by Harry Reginald Hal in 1919.

These figurines are unlike anything else found in that region. The depicted creatures have elongated heads, pointed muzzles, and almond-shaped eyes. These are clearly not humans, and they show mostly reptilian traits.

Initially, it was assumed that those were simply images of the gods worshiped by ancient people, which is not unusual. Many cultures on Earth worshiped snakes and reptile deities, including the Sumerians themselves.

However, later, archaeologists and historians questioned that version. The postures of creatures, including babies, are entirely mundane and do not suggest any kind of ritual or religious practice.

But at the same time, they were very important to those who created them. If those creatures were not worshiped as gods, then what was the purpose of crafting figures of humanoid reptilian creatures?

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