Feb 6 – Kelsey Museum Flash Talk – Learning Through Play: Childhood and Textile Craft in Roman Egypt

Flash Talk | Learning Through Play: Childhood and Textile Craft in Roman Egypt

Heidi Hilliker, Middle East Studies; MSP20

Friday, February 6, 2026 at 12pm EST

What can a child’s toy teach us about ancient learning? At Karanis, small tools reveal how children in Roman Egypt practiced real skills through play.

In this Flash Talk, Heidi Hilliker (PhD candidate in U-M’s Department of Middle East Studies) will provide an overview of the Kelsey in Focus case she curated exploring how craft knowledge was passed down within Karanis households.

Kelsey Museum Flash Talks are 15-minute Zoom lectures by Kelsey curators, staff members, researchers, graduate students, and guests talking about their recent research or current projects. Each presentation is followed by 15 minutes of Q&A. Flash Talks are free and open to all visitors.

To register for this lecture, fill out the form at https://forms.gle/LhmCEg5EoU2FbVSk7. Zoom log-in information will be provided upon registration. Please sign up by 9:30 AM the day of the event to ensure you receive a confirmation email containing the access code.