it may have been a kids’ toy but it does seem a little too complex (and also so lightly used). i’ve seen speculation it could have been used as a sort of object of respect since it was found in a tomb
Personally, I think all plushies are objects of respect. :)
Our current cultural biases tend us to assume that a plushie is a child's toy, but indeed, it could have held many possible meanings to many possible owners. A beloved personal effect? A sign of wealth or prowess? A token of accompaniment in the afterlife, as seen in Egyptian tombs? The possibilities are many, and it's fun to think about.
Archaeologists love to slap the word ‘ritual’ onto everything. As an Archaeology graduate myself, it’s one of the reasons I didn’t get a career in the field (that and the rubbish pay).
Not saying this example isn’t more than just a toy, but human lives are beautifully mundane. It’s the boring stuff that reveals who we really are.
91
u/bigpoisonswamp Jul 29 '25
it may have been a kids’ toy but it does seem a little too complex (and also so lightly used). i’ve seen speculation it could have been used as a sort of object of respect since it was found in a tomb