Concept:
The Hassuna period represents one of the earliest Neolithic cultures of northern Mesopotamia. It is famous for the development of settled village life, agriculture, and decorated pottery.
Step 1:
Mesopotamia is considered one of the earliest centers of human civilization. It developed between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in present-day Iraq.
Step 2:
The Hassuna culture was an early farming society in northern Mesopotamia. Archaeologists discovered remains of mud-brick houses, storage pits, and handmade pottery associated with this culture.
Step 3:
One of the major characteristics of the Hassuna period was the advancement in pottery-making techniques. Painted and decorated pottery became common during this era, showing cultural and technological progress.
Step 4:
Historically, the Hassuna culture is generally dated around 6000--5000 B.C. However, the exact range is not available among the given options in the question.
Step 5:
Among the provided choices, the period 5000--4500 B.C. is the closest suitable timeline for the Hassuna period.
\[
\boxed{\text{(3) 5000--4500 B.C.}}
\]
% Additional Information
Historical Insight:
The Hassuna culture is important because it marks the transition from simple village communities to more organized agricultural settlements in Mesopotamia.