China News Service, Beijing, December 2 (Reporter Sun Zifa) A newly published archaeological paper on the open access academic journal "Scientific Reports" under Springer Nature believes that the shape of an owl in the European Iberian Peninsula was about 5,000 years ago. Carved stone plaque, probably made by children and used as a toy.

The findings could provide new insights into how children in ancient European societies used artifacts.

Two young owls, a common owl species that may have been one of the mimics on the stone plaque (Credit: Juan J. Negro)

Photo courtesy of Springer Nature

　　According to the paper, about 4,000 owl-shaped carved stone tablets (with two carved circles as eyes and a body outline below) have been found in tombs and pits across the Iberian Peninsula, dating back to 5,500 years. Bronze Age to 4750 years ago.

Previously, it was speculated that these owl ornaments may have a ritual significance, representing gods or the dead.

A replica of the Valencia Tablet, with owl feathers inserted into the top two holes (Credit: Juan J. Negro).

Photo courtesy of Springer Nature

　　Juan J. Negro, the corresponding author of the paper, the Spanish Higher Research Council, and collaborators re-examined the traditional view and concluded that these owl-shaped stone carvings were actually carved by young people based on local owl species. Possible uses are dolls, toys or amulets.

They evaluated 100 of the ornaments, scoring them (on a scale of 1-6) based on how many of the 6 owl characteristics they exhibited (eyes, tufts, feather patterns, flattened face, beak, and wings).

They also compared the owl plaques with 100 modern owl images drawn by children aged 4-13 and observed many similarities in the depictions of owls.

As the child grows older, the owls become more similar and more skillful.

A stone tablet in the shape of an owl is hidden in the Museum of Huelva, Spain (Source: Juan J. Negro).

Photo courtesy of Springer Nature

　　The authors observed two small holes at the top of many of the owl ornaments in this study, which do not appear to be functional enough to be hung on strings, and show no signs of corresponding wear.

These holes, they reasoned, could house feathers, mimicking the tufts of feathers on the tops of certain native owl species, such as the long-eared owl.

Owl drawing by children ages 6-9 2 (Credit: Juan J. Negro).

Photo courtesy of Springer Nature

　　The authors concluded that these 5,000-year-old owl ornaments were not necessarily ceremonial objects carved by skilled artists, and many may have been made by children, which became more and more similar to owls as carving techniques improved.

It may also represent an aspect of childhood behavior in Bronze Age societies.

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The long-eared owl, a common species of owl, may have inspired the making of several stone plaques (Credit: Juan J. Negro).

Photo courtesy of Springer Nature