2,000 year old toys discovered inside children's tombs in ancient city of Parion

2,000-year-old ancient toys from the Hellenistic Period have been discovered inside tombs belonging to children in the ancient seaport city of Parion located in northwestern Turkey's Çanakkale province.

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Researchers have discovered toys and other articles during excavations at the ancient site, Professor Hasan Kasaoğlu from Atatürk University, who is the excavation leader at Parion, told the Anadolu Agency.

He noted that the toys were presented as "gifts for the dead" children and provide significant information about the sociocultural structure of the period.

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For instance, Kasaoğlu highlighted that female figurines were found in tombs belonging to girls, while male figures were found in tombs belonging to boys.

"2,000 years ago girls played with 'Barbie-like' dolls, the same way they do now," Kasaoğlu said, adding that although objects have changed shapes and features, humans have always had the same mentality.

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Besides the human figurines, animal and mythological figurines were also found in the tombs, believed to be buried with the aim to accompany the children on their journey to the afterlife, the professor added.

Earlier this month, researchers discovered a baby bottle around the same necropolis.