Seh Gabi Painted Ware

Subject Areas : Prehistoric Archaeology

Sirvan Mohammadi Ghasrian ¹

1 - Iranology Foundation, Kurdistan Province Branch, Sanandaj, Iran.

Received: 2025-04-12 Accepted : 2025-06-30 Published : 2025-08-22

Keywords: Seh Gabi, Black on Buff, east of central Zagros, animal motif ,

Abstract :

The painted pottery type known as "Seh Gabi" was first introduced into the literature of Iranian prehistoric archaeology following excavations at the eponymous mound in the Kangavar Plain during the 1980s. Unlike many ceramic types from western Iran that have undergone re-evaluation and renewed studies in the past two decades, most of the existing information on Seh Gabi painted ware still relies on early investigations conducted between 1970 and 1985. Given the long passage of time since these initial studies, many aspects related to this ceramic tradition—including its chronological range within the prehistoric sequence of western Iran, its origin and developmental stages, decorative motifs and techniques, and geographical distribution—warrant renewed examination and critical reassessment. This article aims to address these ambiguities and research gaps while offering an updated understanding of the Seh Gabi ceramic tradition by incorporating recent archaeological findings. The results of this study reveal that, contrary to earlier assumptions that placed the chronological span of Seh Gabi ware between 4600/4500 and 4200 BCE, the earliest examples of this pottery type—associated with Dalma ceramics—actually emerged during the Dalma phase around 5000 BCE and continued until approximately 4200 BCE. Another key finding of this study concerns the evolution of the decorative elements used on these vessels. While the earliest specimens are adorned with simple geometric motifs, the middle phases of the tradition display a wider variety of geometric patterns. In the final stages, figural representations—such as animal and plant motifs—begin to appear. Furthermore, the distribution of this ceramic tradition is not confined to the eastern Central Zagros, as previously believed. The new evidence indicates that its reach extended beyond that region, encompassing a broader area influenced by the Seh Gabi ceramic style.

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