Did Upper Paleolithic Children Craft Clay Figurines?

Fingerprints and scratch marks found on ancient artifacts in the Czech Republic suggest that Upper Paleolithic children might have used clay like modern-day Play-Doh, forming tiny figurines...

Approximately 30,000 years ago in what is now the Czech Republic, children likely played with clay, creating small ceramic animals and human figures. When interrupted, perhaps called for a meal, these young artists left their creations scattered around. Some of these figurines were later fired in hearths, while others succumbed to the elements, providing archaeologists with a fascinating glimpse into prehistoric play.

A Pending Study on Prehistoric Play

A team of archaeologists has recently submitted a study to PLOS One, currently under review, suggesting that prehistoric children made these ceramic figurines. Jane Baxter, an anthropologist at DePaul University and author of "The Archaeology of Childhood," supports this interpretation, noting the importance of recognizing ancient communities as groups of people engaging in human activities and interactions.

The Oldest Known Ceramics

The oldest known ceramics date back to around 28,000 B.C.E. and come from sites in the Czech Republic. Among these findings is the iconic "Venus" figurine discovered at Dolni Vestonice in 1925. Over the decades, more anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figurines have been unearthed, with fingerprints found on many of these objects in 2002.

Children in Prehistoric Craft Production

April Nowell, a paleolithic archaeologist specializing in Ice Age children and co-author of the study, author of “Growing Up in the Ice Age,” highlights the gap in the archaeological record regarding children's involvement in craft production. Historical evidence shows that children were active in ceramics in ancient Egypt and Bronze Age England, leading Nowell to hypothesize that children also made ceramics at Czech sites.

Collaborating with Becky Farbstein, an expert on Ice Age ceramics, Nowell conducted a systematic study of 489 ceramic artifacts from Czech sites. They aimed to identify signs of novice craftsmanship, focusing on the size, symmetry, and complexity of the artifacts.

Analysis and Findings

Farbstein and Nowell's analysis revealed significant differences between ceramic artifacts and other forms of prehistoric art made from mammoth ivory, bone, antler, and stone. While the latter materials required collective efforts and were found in various locations, the ceramics were likely made from easily accessible clay within the sites. The diversity and inconsistency in the ceramics further suggest they were made by children.

Many figurines were found near hearths, some fired, and others left unfired. This indicates that children were experimenting and learning through play, with some objects preserved by firing and others left as practice pieces. Previous studies have identified scratch marks and fingerprints on these objects, belonging to children aged 6 to 15.

Shifting Perspectives on Prehistoric Childhood

Nowell and Farbstein's work reflects a broader shift in archaeology towards recognizing the importance of studying children in prehistoric societies. Izzy Wisher, an archaeologist focusing on Upper Paleolithic cave art in Spain, emphasizes the need to change the narrative that overlooks children’s contributions to prehistoric cultures.

Jane Baxter notes that understanding the intimate scales of family and community interactions is crucial for comprehending cultural evolution. Children and teens play a significant role in deciding what knowledge gets passed to the next generation, making them key influencers in the direction of human cultural evolution.

Connecting with the Past Through Children

Studying children in past societies helps connect us to these ancient groups. Recognizing the activities and contributions of prehistoric children allows us to imagine their experiences and see the continuity of human behavior across millennia.

April Nowell, recalling an experience in Spain where she witnessed modern schoolchildren emerging from a cave, laughing and joking, reflects on the similarities between past and present childhoods. Such moments remind us that the sounds and activities of prehistoric children were not so different from those of today, enriching our understanding of human history.