Using ancient texts and archaeological remains, Kristine Henriksen Garroway of Hebrew Union College, Los Angeles, reconstructs what life was like for the average child in ancient Israel—and throughout the Near East during the Bronze and Iron Ages. In her article “Children in the Ancient Near East,” published in the November/December 2018 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review, she explains that as soon as they were able, children became part of the household economic system. They helped in ways suitable for their age. Thus, their lives were more work and less play than many of us may have envisioned.It's a bit grim that our best evidence comes from ancient child burials.
As usual, this BHD essay is a summary of a BAR article that is behind the subscription wall.
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