In this episode of Things We Threw Away, we follow rabbits and hares - and somehow also the bunny - through archaeology, history, and folklore to uncover how these animals became familiar with humans and thereby also loaded with meaning.

At the beginning we start with a presumable simple question: what is a rabbit, a bunny and a hare? Followed by what is the difference between a rabbit and a hare? From skeletal remains and burrowing behaviour to domestication and hunting practices, we explore how biology, zoology, archaeology and other disciplines help us figuring out these animals and their complex interaction with humans through time. In that connection, we take a closer look at the different roles of rabbits and hares as food, fur resources, and symbolic animals, and trace how they appear in mythology, seasonal traditions, and cultural beliefs across different periods and places.

Finally, we follow one of the most familiar rabbit traditions of all: the Easter bunny. Where did it come from, and how did rabbits become tied to eggs, spring, and morality?

Join us as we hop down the rabbit hole of archaeology, folklore, and the long entangled history between humans and hares.

Further References

* Encyclopaedia Britannica. n.d. What’s the difference between rabbits and hares? Available at: https://www.britannica.com/story/whats-the-difference-between-rabbits-and-hares (accessed 03 March 2026).

* Irving-Pease, E.K., Frantz, L.A.F., Sykes, N., Callou, C. & Larson, G. 2018. Rabbits and the specious origins of domestication. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 33(3): 149–152.

* Ohio Thoughts. 2015. Rabbits: natural and cultural history. Available at: https://ohiothoughtsblog.blogspot.com/2015/02/rabbits-natural-and-cultural-history.html (accessed 03 March 2026).

* University of Oxford. 2018. The history of domestication: a rabbit’s tale. Available at: https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2018-02-14-history-domestication-rabbit%E2%80%99s-tale-0 (accessed 03 March 2026).

* Wikipedia. n.d. Lagomorpha. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagomorpha (accessed 03 March 2026).

Credits

* Intro and outro music: “Meeting for Two – Background Music for Video Vlog (Hip Hop version, 43s)” via Pixabay Music by White_Records

* Research behind the script: Jona Schlegel and Stefanie Ulrich

* Editing and post-production: Jona Schlegel

* Cover art: Stefanie Ulrich

Things We Threw Away – Where to Find the Podcast

* TWTA on Substack – Updates, transcripts, and reflections from the project

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* TWTA on Bluesky – Public discussions, reflections, and cross-links

Projects by the team members

Jona Schlegel

* Follow on Instagram (@archaeoink): Visual science communication through illustration, websites and archaeology

* jonaschlegel.com: Portfolio and background on archaeological communication, coding, and design

* archaeoink.com: Illustrated archaeology, blog posts, newsletter, and research-based visual storytelling

* pastforwardhub.com: A platform for (freelance) archaeologists who want to create a more sustainable career, be visible, and connect with others

Stefanie Ulrich

* Follow on Instagram (@thepublicarchaeologist): Photography of archaeological objects, and material encounters with a special focus on ancient Rome

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