Artifical bee

Bees and other small insects had died out in many regions of Europe prior to the passing of the European Bee Act. Disparate communities began to re-create them, using plastics. More advanced models incorporated a sound element - this varied wildly across the regions as people no longer had a folk memory of the insects' natural sound. A few rare prototypes also incorporated a rudimentary flying mechanism.
Archaeologists believe this example dates from around 2100 and was made in the South-west Autonomous enclave of Bridport. The complex design indicates it was intended as a gift to a tribal leader.

(contributed to the Museum by Dominique Young, itinerant )