The artifacts are about 5,000 years of ages, and their function has actually been a continuous source of wonder for archaeologists. Now, brand-new findings research suggest they were actually toys made and utilized by children.
Over the past century, countless pieces of slate sculpted into the shape of owls have been found in burial places and pits throughout the Iberian Peninsula, in whats now Spain and Portugal. Initially, archaeologists believed these figures were sacred things representing divine beings, used in routines. But now a brand-new study is suggesting otherwise.
To investigate, the researchers from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) examined 100 of the around 4,000 engraved slate owl plaques that have been gathered for many years. All the carvings go back to the Copper Age (3500 B.C. to 2750 B.C.) and had two small perforations, likely used to weave in bird feathers.
They then compared the plaques with 100 images of owls drawn earlier this year by children ages 4 to 14 at primary schools in southwestern Spain. The children were informed by their instructors to draw an owl in less than 20 minutes. The similarity of the plaques with the drawings made by kids is amazing, the scientists argued.
The inscriptions informal appearance made the team question their usee as routine objects, in addition to the truth that many were discovered not in a ritual context. However there wasnt exactly enough proof to support the idea that they are toys– previously.
Image credit: The researchers.
Playing with owls
Something shared by the carvings was that they were all made using slate, a soft product consisting of a combination of minerals like illite, quartz, and chlorite. Its adequately malleable to be carved utilizing pointed tools made from flint, copper or quartz. Anyone can engrave it, including kids who were pleading their lessons on how to sculpt, the researchers argued.
The study was released in the journal Scientific Reports.
While they dont have a specific explanation for what inspired these Copper Age kids to concentrate on owls rather of other animals, the scientists highlight owls were a common sighting at that time, even in metropolitan areas. The 2 most plentiful species in that location would have been the little owl (Athene noctua) and the long-eared owl (Asio otus).
Over the previous century, thousands of pieces of slate sculpted into the shape of owls have been found in burial places and pits across the Iberian Peninsula, in whats now Spain and Portugal. They then compared the plaques with 100 images of owls drawn previously this year by kids ages 4 to 14 at primary schools in southwestern Spain. The kids were informed by their instructors to draw an owl in less than 20 minutes. Negro said the kids most likely lived in settlements and would see owls on a regular basis, as they are known to get rid of mice and rats. Owls are various from other birds due to their frontally put eyes and large heads, which kids most likely found striking.
Negro stated the kids most likely lived in settlements and would see owls on a regular basis, as they are known to eliminate mice and rats. Owls are various from other birds due to their frontally put eyes and big heads, which kids probably found striking. “Everyone has a picture of an owl in their brains. They are renowned animals,” he argued.
The plaques arent the oldest recognized possible toy in the historical record. Animal figures found in kidss graves in Siberia dated to around 20,000 years old have actually been translated as toys. Thaumatropes and spinners discovered in French caves dating back to about 36,000 years earlier are likewise believed by some to have been toys.