Pieces of the Past

Spinning tops

 

These children's toys were found under the parlour floorboards of an 1880 worker's cottage. The fragments are what appear to be two wooden spinning tops. A nail was used to form the pointed base. As gender differentiation was strongly conveyed through Victorian toys, it is likely these toys belonged to a boy. A child’s boot, child’s can and a saucer from a miniature tea set were also found under the floorboards of this house, further evidence that a child once lived there.

 

The discovery of such playful items is interesting as they provide evidence for the presence of children at the site during this period, which historical research cannot always do.

 

 

Francesca Bradley, 2015.

A buildings archaeologist, piano-accordian maestro and  our resident 'Cycling Archaeologist'.