Final answer:
Archaeologists infer from the plaster found in ancient Fertile Crescent houses that the inhabitants valued interior decor and partook in artistic and religious practices, reflecting cultural, technological, and spiritual aspects of their life.
Step-by-step explanation:
When archaeologists discovered plaster on the interior of ancient houses in the Fertile Crescent, they could infer that the people of that era placed a significant emphasis on the interior decoration of their living spaces and engaged in artistic and possibly religious practices.
The presence of plastered human skulls with shells used for eyes and traces of paint implies a form of ancestor worship or veneration of the deceased. The frequent renewal of plaster in the main rooms at places like Çatalhöyük suggests these spaces were important, possibly with ritual significance, reflected in both geometric and figural decorations.
Large plaster statues, such as those found in 'Ain Ghazal, which required considerable investment in resources and skill, indicate that image-making was an important aspect of the culture. The art and decoration practices from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period to Mesopotamian Babylonia portray the technological, cultural, and religious developments over time, providing a glimpse into the lives and beliefs of these ancient peoples.