Posted on 08/11/2004 7:31:54 PM PDT by FairOpinion
Archaeologists say they have found the remains of a 4,000-year-old stone doll on the Mediterranean island of Pantelleria, between Sicily and Tunisia. The 3cm head, crudely carved with eyes, nose and mouth and wavy hair, was found with a miniature set of terracotta cooking pots in the remains of two huts on the site of a fortified bronze age village at Mursia.
"We believe both the saucepans and the head were toys belonging to the girls who lived in this village around 4,000 years ago," said Fabrizio Nicoletti, of the University of Suor Orsola Benincasa in Naples, the archaeologist overseeing the dig.
"We wondered whether the head might be a religious symbol. But we have ruled that out because of the location in which the 'toys' were found [in children's living quarters]."
Pantelleria is thought to have been inhabited by African tribes who came in search of its abundant obsidian, a dark glassy volcanic rock prized for making tools and weapons.
The island, known as the Black Pearl of the Sun, was invaded by the Romans in 217BC, and by Arab forces five centuries later.
GGG Ping.
"We wondered whether the head might be a religious symbol. But we have ruled that out because of the location in which the 'toys' were found [in children's living quarters]."
A Barbie prototype?
It's fascinating that children had toys even then specifically made for them.
I find this extremely interesting, but am always frustrated when articles like this have no photos.
Italy - Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a 4 000-year-old doll, thought to be the world's oldest toy, Milan's Corriere della Sera newspaper reported on Thursday.
The doll's head, discovered during excavations on the southern island of Pantelleria, is about four centimetres long, with carved facial features and a curly head of hair.
Experts have dubbed the significant find the "Barbie of the Bronze Age".
"The body was made out of wood or material and was not preserved," said head archaeologist Sebastino Tusa.
Archaeologists made the find while examining the remnants of a hut on a Bronze Age settlement.
They say the doll's head clearly belonged to a toy and the find proves that during this era dolls were used as play items and not just gifts to gods, as commonly believed.
Miniature pots and plates were found close to the doll's head, possibly the utensils of an ancient toy kitchen.
"The playing habits of children have barely changed in 4 000 years," said one of archaeology team.
They are teaching tools ultimately.
The feminists will be outraged.
I'll bet her brother had a toy sword and shield.
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