Archaeologists have identified 14,500-year-old clay figurines in the Levant that bear the distinct fingerprints of both adults and children.
Published on November 11 in PLOS One, the study reveals that Stone Age adults likely guided children in the tactile process of shaping clay, offering rare evidence of intergenerational social learning.
The discovery emerged from an analysis of 40 kilograms of clay fragments collected from three Natufian sites in modern-day Israel. The Natufian culture, known for transitioning toward permanent settlements, produced these artifacts between 15,000 and 11,600 years ago. Among the tens of thousands of clay lumps recovered, the research team identified 150 sculpture fragments, including representations of birds, gazelles, and human forms.
Archaeologist Laurent Davin of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem led the team in analyzing the ridges preserved in the clay. Because the distance between fingerprint ridges changes predictably with age and skeletal growth, the team could differentiate between adult and child contributors.
The data indicates that most figurines were crafted by women and children, some under the age of 10, with very few prints belonging to men. One human torso fragment specifically preserved both adult and child impressions, suggesting the object was passed between an elder and a child during the creation process.
The finding suggests the grown-ups taught the kids how to shape and decorate clay, researchers report November 11 in PLOS One.
While the figurines provide a window into ancient social dynamics, their exact function remains a subject of academic inquiry. Most statues are under 2 centimeters in length and show no evidence of heavy wear, indicating they were likely not utilized as permanent heirlooms or high-value trade goods.
Steven Dorland, an archaeologist at Grand Valley State University, notes that this research broadens the historical focus beyond adult male activity, showing how children contributed to early cultural production.
Davin suggests these items may have functioned similarly to modern children’s drawings—tangible expressions of stories or play. The focus, according to this hypothesis, was not solely on the technical mastery of pottery, but on the transmission of the narratives the sculptures represented.
| Metric | Observed Data | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Site Age Range | 15,000 to 11,600 years ago | Pre-agricultural Natufian period |
| Total Clay Analyzed | 40 kilograms | Extensive sample size for site |
| Identified Fragments | 150 total pieces | Includes birds, gazelles, humans |
| Primary Creators | Women and children | Suggests non-male-centric labor |
The study highlights the necessity of identifying child-specific contributions to the archaeological record to better understand the social structures of early human societies.
