The subsequent millennia, the 7th and 6th millennia BCE, witnessed the rise of important "ceramic" cultures, notably the Hassuna, Samarra, and Halaf. These cultures were distinguished by the definitive introduction of agriculture and animal husbandry, revolutionizing the economic landscape. Architecturally, there was a move towards more complex structures, including large communal dwellings centered around collective granaries. The introduction of irrigation systems marked a significant technological advancement, essential for sustaining agricultural practices. Cultural dynamics varied, with the Samarra culture exhibiting signs of social inequality, in contrast to the Halaf culture, which seemed to consist of smaller, less hierarchical communities.

Concurrently, the Ubaid culture emerged in southern Mesopotamia around the end of the 7th millennium BCE. The oldest known site of this culture is Tell el-'Oueili. Ubaid culture is recognized for its sophisticated architecture and the implementation of irrigation, a critical innovation in a region where agriculture relied heavily on artificial water sources. The Ubaid culture expanded significantly, possibly assimilating the Halaf culture, spreading its influence peacefully across northern Mesopotamia, southeastern Anatolia, and northeastern Syria.

This era witnessed a transformation from relatively non-hierarchical village societies to more complex urban centers. By the end of the 4th millennium BCE, these evolving social structures saw the emergence of a dominant elite class. Uruk and Tepe Gawra, two of the most influential centers in Mesopotamia, played pivotal roles in these societal changes. They were instrumental in the gradual development of writing and the concept of the state. This transition from prehistoric cultures to the cusp of recorded history marks a significant epoch in human civilization, laying the foundations for the historical periods that followed.