SER Historia – La vida de los niños en el antiguo Egipto

Episode Date: December 22, 2025
Host: Nacho (SER Podcast)
Guest: Esther Pons (Egiptóloga, comisaria de la exposición “El despertar a la vida”)

Overview

This episode centers on the daily life and experiences of children in ancient Egypt, a subject often overlooked in mainstream Egyptology. Through an engaging conversation with Esther Pons, co-curator of the new exhibition "El despertar a la vida. Infancia y adolescencia en el Antiguo Egipto," listeners are taken on a journey through the lesser-explored aspects of Egyptian civilization—the early stages of life, their challenges, cultural practices, and the remarkable artifacts that bring their stories to life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducción a la infancia en el Antiguo Egipto

• [00:08] The episode opens with a dramatic retelling of a tale from the Harris 500 papyrus, illustrating how concern for children’s fates was present even in ancient Egyptian stories.
• Nacho reflects on how childhood has historically taken a back seat in Egyptological studies, with more focus given to pharaohs, major discoveries, and high society.
• Quote:
  "la vida de la infancia en el Antiguo Egipto siempre ha tenido un segundo plano… no ha recibido toda la importancia y el valor que necesitaba"
  — Nacho [01:24]

2. Nueva exposición: “El despertar a la vida”

• [03:54] Esther Pons describes the exhibition as the first in Spain dedicated exclusively to childhood and adolescence in ancient Egypt.
• The exhibition aims to cover all social strata—not just royalty or nobility but the everyday majority of Egyptians, emphasizing both differences and surprising similarities with modern life.
• There are nearly 200 artifacts, some never before displayed, on loan from museums across Europe.
• Quote:
  "Nuestra idea y nuestro objetivo sobre todo poner en valor esta etapa desde el punto de vista cotidiano, pero de todas las esferas sociales"
  — Esther Pons [05:15]

3. Estructura de la exposición y temas centrales

• [07:55] Esther expounds on the exhibition's four sections:
  • Pre-embarazo, embarazo y parto: Includes magical objects for protection during birth, like an ivory knife and ancient feeding bottles.
  • Infancia: Explores early childhood (birth to ~6-7 years), focusing on family, protection, food, clothing, education, and play (toys, dolls, wooden horses).
  • Pubertad y adolescencia: Adolescence in ancient Egypt was much earlier; by 14 or 15, many were married. Their roles, clothing, and social expectations shifted accordingly.
  • Salud, enfermedad y muerte temprana: High infant mortality due to infections and environmental dangers; also, advanced medical practices and funerary customs (including mummification).
• Quote:
  "La adolescencia en el antiguo Egipto no es la nuestra; con catorce, quince años ya se casaban, o sea que formaban familia."
  — Esther Pons [08:52]

4. Mortalidad infantil y cultura cotidiana

• [10:49] High rates of child mortality shaped Egyptian attitudes toward childhood, family, and the larger society.
• Environmental hazards (desert creatures, Nile wildlife), prevalent diseases, and the practical importance of having many children.
• Quote:
  "La mortalidad infantil en el antiguo Egipto era muy alta… Por eso la idea de tener hijos y de tener muchos estaba muy presente en la sociedad egipcia."
  — Esther Pons [10:49]

5. Innovación museográfica y experiencia inmersiva

• [11:50] The show uses immersive technology, especially in the Sala Orive, to bring ancient Egyptian childhood to life through large-scale video and digital recreations—making the subject accessible and engaging beyond conventional display cases.
• Quote:
  "Un vídeo inmersivo de casi 10 minutos… espectacular, pero muy serio. Un vídeo inmersivo de todo lo que explicamos… desde el nacimiento, desde el embarazo, hasta la muerte de un niño o de un adolescente."
  — Esther Pons [12:20]

6. Piezas favoritas y recomendaciones personales

• [13:44] Esther highlights standout objects:
  • Magic ivory birth wand
  • Large limestone statue of Bes
  • Complete child’s tunic from the Christian era
  • Child’s coffin and funerary mask (Ptolemaic period)
  • Amulets, gold collar of Tueris, school inkpot from Javia (like those found in Oxirrinco)
• Quote:
  "Un marfil mágico de nacimiento, un enorme Bes en caliza, una túnica de época cristiana... un ataúd de niño, una máscara funeraria de niño de época ptolemaica, papiros, imágenes, un collar de oro... creo que eso es de lo más destacado…" — Esther Pons [13:44]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Nacho:
  "La infancia siempre había quedado en un segundo plano..." [03:54]

• Esther Pons:
  "Queremos explicar esa importancia y aquellos objetos que forman parte o que formaron parte de la infancia y la adolescencia..." [05:15]

• Esther Pons:
  "Ellos eran conscientes de la mortalidad infantil y eso no quiere decir que no sintieran... esos sentimientos son los mismos en todas las épocas y en todas las culturas." [11:28]

• Esther Pons:
  "Un vídeo inmersivo de casi 10 minutos… espectacular, pero muy serio." [12:20]

• Esther Pons (on favorite pieces):
  "Un marfil mágico de nacimiento, un enorme Bes en caliza... una túnica... un ataúd de niño... un collar de oro... un tintero de Xavia, idéntico a los que hemos encontrado en Oxirrinco." [13:44]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:08: Opening dramatization from papyrus Harris 500
• 01:08–02:40: Nacho discusses the neglect of childhood as a topic in Egyptian history studies
• 04:18: Esther Pons introduces and contextualizes the new exhibition
• 07:55: Detailed breakdown of the exhibition’s thematic areas
• 10:49: Discussion on infant mortality and its societal impact
• 11:50: Description of the innovative immersive experience
• 13:44: Esther’s personal highlights from the collection

Tone & Style

The conversation maintains a passionate yet approachable tone, typical of SER Historia. Nacho’s enthusiasm as a host and Esther’s expertise blend to make the complex and occasionally somber subject matter both accessible and compelling.

Final Notes

Listeners are reminded that the exhibition “El despertar a la vida” is open in Córdoba until April 5th and will be accompanied by a special live recording of SER Historia. The host encourages listeners to reflect on the universality and humanity of childhood experiences—across history and cultures—through this unique exploration of ancient Egypt.