Doodles Made by a 6-year-old Boy Named Onfim, from Russia, c. 1240-1260

Over the last 75 years, excavations in and around Novgorod, in Russia, have led to the discovery of hundreds of documents dating back to the Middle Ages. These documents were made using pieces of bark from the local birch trees; they include letters, notes, spelling exercises, shopping lists, receipts, and legal documents, among other things.

The most famous examples are the panels that contain the writing exercises of a 6-7 year-old boy named Onfim, whose work was often accompanied by drawings of knights, fantastical beasts, battle scenes, and depictions of himself in various forms.

These are just a few examples:

This drawing was made 700 years ago by a 7-years-old boy named Onfim who  lived in Novogrod. : r/interestingasҒUCҜ

Birch-Bark Document no.199: on the back of a panel that had been used for his spelling exercises, Onfim drew this picture of himself as a wild beast, writing “I am a wild beast” in the center of the drawing; the beast is also shown holding a sign that says “Greetings from Onfim to Danilo,” likely referring to a friend or classmate.

What a 7-Year-Old Russian Boy Doodled in The 13th Century | Amusing Planet

Birch-Bark Document no.200: Onfim began writing the Cyrillic alphabet at the top of this panel, but he then stopped to draw a picture of himself as a warrior on horseback, labeling the figure with his name; the drawing shows him wielding a sword while he impales his enemy with a spear.

Onfim Wuz Here: On the Unlikely Art of a Medieval Russian Boy ‹ Literary Hub

Birch-Bark Document no.202: the boy’s mother and father are depicted in this drawing, which accompanies another writing exercise.

Birch-Bark Document no.206: Onfim began to copy a liturgical prayer (the Troparion of the Sixth Hour) onto this strip of bark, but he apparently got distracted after writing just the first few words, and started drawing a row of people along the bottom of the panel instead.

The examples above are just a few of the many documents that have been unearthed in Novgorod (now known as Veliky Novgorod) and its surrounding areas. More than a thousand birch-bark manuscripts and styli have been found throughout the region, suggesting that there was a high rate of literacy among the local inhabitants. Most of these documents were created during the 11th-15th centuries, when Novgorod served as the capital city of the Novgorod Republic; they had been buried in the thick, wet clay that permeates the local soil, in conditions that allowed them to remain almost perfectly preserved for hundreds of years.

Related Posts

Despite the curse of destruction, experts opened a 2,000-year-old coffin and were shocked by the scene inside.

Despite ancient curses, archaeologists in Egypt have excavated and opened a black granite sarcophagus to reveal the mystery inside. In July 2018, Egyptian archaeologists found a 30-ton…

The Olive Tree of Vouves: A 4,000-Year-Old Living Legacy

A Timeless Wonder on Crete’s Ancient Soil In the heart of Crete, an extraordinary olive tree stands as a living testament to the island’s rich history. Known…

Uncovering Scotland’s Rich Past: The 1,300-Year-Old Gold Pommel with Historical Significance

A Glittering Tale of Ancient Treasure In the verdant hills near Stirling, Scotland, a remarkable story unfolded in 2019. A dedicated metal detectorist, armed with patience and…

The Pesh-kabz: A Legendary Blade of Power and Beauty

The Birth of a Warrior’s Companion In the heart of 17th century Safavid Persia, a weapon was born that would change the face of close combat warfare….

Stepping into History: The 5,500-Year-Old Armenian Leather Shoe

A Remarkable Discovery in the Heart of Armenia In the shadowy recesses of an Armenian limestone cave, archaeologists stumbled upon a treasure that would rewrite the history…

The Majestic Baobab: Africa’s Lifeline and Its Enduring Legacy

Africa’s savannas have long been home to a remarkable giant – the baobab tree, affectionately known as the “upside-down tree.” With its mᴀssive trunk reaching skyward and…