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

Small-scale cultivators
Collectors who built houses, made pottery, herded and hunted animals. Hamangia culture were engaged in a mixed economy that included farming, animal husbandry, fishing, and hunting. They had crops such as wheat, barley, and peas.

Art: Clay figures
The Hamangia culture attracted and attracts the attention of many art historians because of its exceptional clay figures. There was evidence of trade in obsidian, shells, and other materials has been found. Some long distances. Its culture had connections with neighboring regions.

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?

Figurines
Extreme artifacts included naked faceless women. Often emphasizing the breasts and buttocks. Neolithic masterpieces. Two figurines known as “The Thinker” and “The Sitting woman” were found by archaeologist.

Designs also included zoomorphic and anthropomorphic motifs. Human faces and animal figures.

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. Often with stone foundations. Like Durankulak. They are normally arranged on a rectangular grid and may form small tells. Settlements are located along the coast. On the coast of lakes, on lower or middle river terraces. Suggesting the culture had connections with the 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 (pictured and described above);
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.

Bibliography:

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

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), pp. 105-116