SCI-KIDS: Toys long predated electronics explosion

This time of year, I am frequently amazed at the variety of toys available in stores.

The explosion of electronics such as game consoles and remote-controlled vehicles, the quantity of dolls and their hundreds (if not thousands) of outfits and accessories. I was born at the end of the baby boom, not in the Stone Age, contrary to what my daughter thinks, and the contrast between what was available then and what is available now is astonishing. Which got me thinking -- what evidence do we have for toys in the Virginia archaeological record before European settlement?

I did some research on American Indian toys. There are historic documents that mention toys and games for children and adults. There are also observations made of Indian tribes across North America by explorers, anthropologists and settlers. These observations range from informal diaries and journals to museum and university-sponsored research projects.

We also can learn a great deal from modern tribes who have maintained many traditional aspects of their cultures for hundreds of years.

Some of the more frequently mentioned American Indian toys is the ring and pin game. There are many versions, but in the basic game a ring is tied to a cord. At the other end of the cord is tied a pin or thin stick. You hold the stick, swing the cord, and try to catch the ring on the stick. You can see versions of this toy in many toy stores.

Archaeological evidence of this game is found throughout North America. Common artifacts from one version are deer toe bones that have had a hole drilled through the length of the bone shaft.

Another game found in many Indian tribes is the wheel and dart game. A wheel or hoop is rolled, and the players try to throw darts or spears through it.

Stone spheres are also frequently found in archaeology collections. Balls can be used for any number of games, and it might be that these stone pieces were used for gaming by children and adults. Even today, balls are extremely popular and found in every culture.

Of course, there were undoubtedly many toys that leave no archaeological evidence. Corn husk or other plant-material dolls, balls made of hide, carved wooden figures or game pieces all would have decayed in the wet and acidic Virginia soils.

Children have always had toys, and this is a good time of year to remember that there are things common to all cultures.

Virginia history and social science Standards of Learning: K.2; 2.2; WHI.2.
Elizabeth Moore is curator of archaeology at the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville.