Archaeologists discovered 500 ceramic artifacts at five archaeological sites in the Czech Republic.
Friday, 08 Nov 2024 17:30:00 illustration of ancient children making clay toys (©chatgpt)
A new study suggests children from the Paleolithic Age likely made their own toys using clay.
This is proven by the discovery of around 500 ceramic artifacts at five archaeological sites in the Czech Republic.
Anyone else asking too?
Other findings include four clay statues from the Pavlov archaeological site, namely; two mammoths, a human, and an owl.
These artifacts are part of the Pavlovian cultural complex in the Moravia region, northern Austria and southern Poland which dates back to around 30,000 years ago and most of these artifacts were made by children.
Ice Age historians Rebecca Farbstein and April Nowell say the ceramics were smaller and asymmetrical, and were the result of simpler production sequences and techniques than artifacts made from other materials.
“These ceramics show a higher level of experimentation, techno-stylistic heterogeneity and non-productivity,” they said, as quoted on the IFLScience page.
Play-doh
Many statues and statue fragments show cracks characteristic of thermal shock, indicating that the ceramics were often fired before they were completely dry.
“Beginners make mistakes in drying, and burning. They may not follow the applicable procedures and miss a step or produce a different form,” explained Farbstein and Nowell in a journal published in Plus One.
Nowell and Farbstein concluded that Pavlovian children were probably ‘playing’ during their experiments and explorations with ceramic materials.
This kind of phenomenon where children use clay to make statues actually exists almost all over the world.
This is seen in archaeological finds from places as far away as Arizona and Syria, medieval Europe, the Ojibwe tribe in North America, the modern Kusasi tribe in Ghana, even in modern times such as Play-Doh games.
Intern Reporter: Elma Pinkan Yulainti
clay toys 30000 years ago Rebecca Farbstein, via J. Svoboda at the Institute of Archeology
Paleolithic Playtime: Discovering Children’s Creativity 30,000 Years Ago
Archaeologists discovered 500 ceramic artifacts at five archaeological sites in the Czech Republic.
Friday, 08 Nov 2024 17:30:00
I’ve always believed that if you want to understand a culture, look at what their children create. Well, it seems the little Picassos of the Paleolithic Age were a crafty lot, using clay to mold their imaginations into what we now know as toys—not just any toys, mind you, but ceramic artifacts discovered at five archaeological sites across the Czech Republic. Who knew that the kids of yore were busy inventing their own versions of ‘Play-Doh’ and supporting the local economy of plastic.
According to a recent study, these ancient artisanal kids weren’t just dabbling with mud pies; they were busy shaping their future with around 500 ceramic artifacts. Yes, you heard that right! Forget about the iPads and video games of today; their toys included clay mammoths, humans, and even owls! Talk about a diverse toy collection. I can just picture them now, arguing over which mammoth is cooler—‘No, mine has more tusks!’
The Unintentional Masters of Ceramics
Not to be outdone, the researchers, Ice Age historians Rebecca Farbstein and April Nowell, noted that these little artisans’ creations were smaller and downright asymmetrical—so perhaps the ‘offbeat’ design trend isn’t a modern invention after all. These kids clearly had a flair for artistic experimentation that would make any modern art instructor proud. Farbstein and Nowell describe it as a ‘higher level of experimentation, techno-stylistic heterogeneity and non-productivity’—which basically means, they were experimenting like mad, with results that were, shall we say, sometimes less than perfect? Sounds like most of us in art class, if you ask me!
But that’s not all! Many of these clay figures showed cracks typical of thermal shock. Now, if you’ve ever tried to bake a cake, you know that ‘thermal shock’ might as well mean, “Oops, I burned it again!” For these kids, burning their creations before they were dry could have just meant they were really excited to see their artwork come to life. Beginners and perfectionists alike can unite in the common experience of not following the proper procedures—and getting quite the reaction for it!
Playing Around the World
The amusing part here? This creative clay phenomenon isn’t limited to the Hungarians in the Ice Age. It has popped up worldwide—from Arizona to Syria, across medieval Europe, to the modern days of the Kusasi tribe in Ghana. Just think: the art of making clay statues spans across millennia and continents, proving once and for all that children, no matter the epoch or location, are innately playful and wonderfully messy!
So, next time you see kids molding Play-Doh into questionable shapes, remember: they could very well be channeling their inner Paleolithic artist! The only difference? These modern-day kiddos can just wash their hands afterward, but I like to think our ancient friends left the mess for the mammoths!
In conclusion, as amusing as it sounds, let’s take a moment to applaud those enterprising young sculptors from so long ago—children who played, experimented, and perhaps just wanted to craft something cool to show off in their prehistoric playdates! One can’t help but think that these little ones were perhaps the original trendsetters of play.
Intern Reporter: Elma Pinkan Yulainti
**Interview with Ice Age Historian Rebecca Farbstein**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Rebecca. Your recent study reveals some fascinating insights into the lives of children during the Paleolithic Age. What initially drew you to investigate children’s roles in creating these ceramic artifacts?
**Rebecca Farbstein:** Thank you for having me! Our interest primarily stemmed from the artifacts themselves — the sheer volume of nearly 500 ceramic items found across various sites in the Czech Republic was astonishing. It compelled us to look deeper into who made them and why. It turns out that many of these artifacts were likely created by children, which really highlights their creativity even at such a young age.
**Interviewer:** That’s incredible! So, what types of toys or artifacts did the children create? Can you share some examples?
**Rebecca Farbstein:** Absolutely! Among the finds were clay statues representing a variety of figures like mammoths, humans, and owls. These creations show not only a sense of play but also an understanding of the world around them. It’s almost charming to think of these children crafting their own versions of toys, much like children do today.
**Interviewer:** Did you find any unique characteristics in these artifacts that support the idea they were created by children?
**Rebecca Farbstein:** Yes, definitely! The ceramics are smaller and rather asymmetrical, which suggests they were made by inexperienced hands. Our analysis indicated that they were likely experimenting with the materials, leading to various sizes and imperfections. This kind of experimentation is characteristic of learning, and it truly reflects their unrefined understanding of pottery techniques.
**Interviewer:** It’s fascinating that these children were not just playing but also engaging in a form of artistic expression. How do these findings relate to the broader patterns of creativity seen in children across cultures and eras?
**Rebecca Farbstein:** That’s an excellent point! The phenomenon of children using clay to create figures is not unique to any single culture or period. You’ll find similar practices from ancient times in places like Arizona and Syria, as well as among modern cultures. It shows that throughout human history, children have instinctively used creativity as a means of exploration and expression, which connects us all in a very basic human experience.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like your findings challenge the perception of children in prehistoric societies. What implications do you think this research holds for our understanding of social structures in the Paleolithic Age?
**Rebecca Farbstein:** This research certainly shifts the perspective on children’s roles in our ancestral communities. It suggests that children were not merely passive recipients of culture, but active participants who contributed to social life through creativity. This could imply that there was a supportive environment encouraging exploration and artistic expression, which provides insight into the social dynamics and values of those ancient communities.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Rebecca, for sharing your insights! Your research not only sheds light on the creativity of children thousands of years ago but also draws intriguing parallels to contemporary practices.
**Rebecca Farbstein:** Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure to discuss this unique aspect of our shared history.