Write in hieroglyphics

This is one of a set of resources designed to allow learners to use practical methods to support the delivery of key topics within design and technology, history and art. This resource is based on the form of writing developed by the Ancient Egyptians, hieroglyphics.

Do you know how to write your name in Hieroglyphics? This engaging resource will show you how.

Once you have mastered how to write your name you can even write messages to your friends using hieroglyphic symbols.

This activity will take roughly 25 – 40 minutes. Worksheets, activity sheets and resources are provided for teachers.

• Paper
• Pens/pencils

This activity is inspired by the achievements of ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptians influenced the modern world in many ways and made important contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Used by the ancient Egyptians from around 3000 BC, Hieroglyphics are one of the earliest known writing systems. The symbols used were called hieroglyphs, which come from a Greek word meaning ‘sacred carving’ and were believed to have been invented by the gods.

The ancient Egyptians who were responsible for writing were called scribes. All scribes had to undergo years of rigorous training as Hieroglyphics was quite complicated, including around 700 different signs of objects and animals. Some signs were symbolic and stood for whole words, while others were phonetic and stood for sounds.

Hieroglyphics were found on ancient Egyptian seals, plaques, tombs, and pottery. They were also used to record laws and taxes.

Writing is key to human advancement – it is how we communicate to people who we cannot contact directly and record information for the future.

By the end of this activity students will know what Hieroglyphics are and they will be able to use Hieroglyphics to write their name.