A new excavation site in Rajasthan, India, has yielded an unprecedented collection of terracotta toys, including wind-up mechanisms and jointed animal figures. The site, identified as a specialized manufacturing hub, contains molds and discarded prototypes that showcase the playful side of Harappan engineering.
Among the finds are wheeled carts with functional steering and birds that "whistle" when moved, suggesting that toy-making was a highly respected craft. This discovery provides a rare glimpse into the daily lives and childhoods of the Indus Valley people during the civilization's peak.