Infant Care in Early Bronze Age Syria: Newly Identified Clay Rattles at Hama

This paper presents new evidence for the presence of rattles at the Early Bronze Age site of Hama in Syria. The assemblage of rattles at this site forms the largest securely identified find of this type of toy in the Near East. The identification of ceramic handles and pierced body sherds as rattles is based on comparative analysis with complete rattles from the nearby site of Al-Zalaqiyat Cemetery. We argue that the rattles served as toys to amuse and calm infants, rather than as musical instruments, based on the low noise level of the rattles and the relatively small size of their handles. We present an overview of the different types of rattles found in the Near East in the Early Bronze Age, and reflect on what the presence of rattles tells us about the care and nurturing of infants at Hama.