Episode

The Puzzling Case of Children’s Rattles in Early Bronze Age Syria, or, Here Kid, Shake This, Mom and Dad are Working

Podcast
This Week in the Ancient Near East
Published
Oct 20, 2025
Duration seconds
2441
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not_requested
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https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/e/the-puzzling-case-of-children-s-rattles-in-early-bronze-age-syria-or-here-kid-shake-this-mom-and-dad-are-working/
Audio
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/z3mt5hxs2pkhds8a/podcast_125_-_10_19_25_130_PM8f1rs.mp3
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Summary

A new article has us talking about toys. Did the potters at Early Bronze Age Hama make rattles for their kids out of love or to maximize investment in their future labor output? It’s an episode that cuts to the heart of the whole ‘childhood’ scam! Come for the insights into Bronze Age childrearing, stay for the word of the day. It’s fructiform!