Little bird made of tree bark

Early medieval objects related to children's play are among rare archaeological finds. They include miniature work tools, household utensils, weapons, boat models, as well as anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures. Toys imitating objects from everyday life undoubtedly fostered the process of socialisation: acquiring a system of values, norms and patterns of behaviour in force in a given community, as well as the skills to enter the world of social institutions. Toys of this type performed important educational functions. For the archaeologist, on the other hand, the representation of reality in miniature is a very important guideline in the process of reconstructing the past. Among the group of toys, we find a small bird carved from bark discovered during excavations in Wolin. It has no defined anatomical features such as wings, paws, eyes, or beak. The schematic representation makes it impossible to identify the species with certainty, but with its gentle silhouette, it certainly does not resemble a bird of prey. This figurine is a touching example of consideration for the youngest members of the community. It was made with extreme care, leaving no burrs on the surface or edges that could injure or hurt. Anna Bogumiła Kowalska