Excavation at an Early Bronze Age settlement site Vengerovo-2, West of Novosibrirsk, Russian Federation, revealed a 4000-year-old rattle crafted in shape of a bear cub’s head. The rattle is said to still make sounds to this day.

The find is considered being one of the oldest toys in the world. It is a clay rattle, with possible little stones rattling inside. The object was once equipped with a handle so it was handy for a child to hold it. It was constructed by clay firing, it is hollow inside.  The experts of the Novosibirsk State University do not know yet what exactly rattles inside, but are planning to make X-ray analysis to find out.

The find was made on the Vengerovo-2 archaeological site consisting of a prehistoric settlement, that dates to the third millennium BC, making it between 3800 – 4000 years old. At the site archaeologists this summer unearthed more than 50 burials, and around 100 ritual pits, with two housing sites, where ancient people lived.

(after The Siberian Times)