Dolls are said to have existed as early as the Paleolithic Era (roughly 2.5 million years ago to 10,000 B.C.). The eldest one, discovered in Siberia in 2017, had a head carved from soapstone and a body made of organic materials which have since then decomposed. It is believed to be over 4,500 years old.



Archaeologists have also confirmed that dolls were used in Ancient Greece and Rome. Made of a great diversity of natural materials such as clay, wood, wax, bone, ivory, jade stone, several were found in graves and in particular children’s tombs. Most were rather rudimentary yet some could be considered as work of art : articulated and delicately painted.