Archaeologists from Tel Aviv University and the National Museum in Copenhagen have analyzed 450 pottery vessels made in Tel Hama, a town at the edge of the Ebla Kingdom, one of the most important Syrian kingdoms in the Early Bronze Age (about 4,500 years ago).

Archaeologists have analyzed 450 pottery vessels made in Tel Hama, a town at the edge of the Ebla Kingdom, one of the most important Syrian kingdoms in the Early Bronze Age (about 4,500 years ago).

They found that two-thirds of the pottery vessels were made by children—starting at the ages of 7 and 8. Along with children’s use for the kingdom’s needs, they also found evidence of the children’s independent creations outside the industrial framework, illustrating the spark of childhood even in early urban societies.