The Archaeologist's Notebook

Archaeologist Recreates 800-Year-Old Medieval Child's Drawings

The Archaeologist's Notebook

Show Notes

In 1951, archaeologists in Russia made a startling discovery in Novgorod: over 1,200 incredibly preserved birch bark letters dating back to the 12th century. Among these 800-year-old artefacts are the charming drawings and schoolwork of a six-year-old boy named Onfim. These rare texts changed what we know about medieval literacy, revealing that everyday people—and children—were reading and writing long before paper became common. Join Giselle as she investigates these rare remains and attempts to recreate an 800-year-old birch bark drawing herself!

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