Similar to how we have an alphabet that represents sounds to form words that can be read, written and spoken in English, Ancient Egypt had their own writing system called hieroglyphs. Hieroglyphs are stylized pictures of objects representing words, syllables, or sounds. There are over 1,000 distinct characters.
Egyptians would carve into stone or temple walls and write on papyrus. It was used to communicate, tell stories about gods and the afterlife. One of the most famous Egyptian works, The Book of the Dead, is a book that guides the soul of the deceased to navigate the afterlife. https://givemehistory.com/book-of-the-dead
Use this chart to learn more about the Ancient Egyptian alphabet and create your own story or message using hieroglyphs!
Check out the YouTube video for this project (as well as Art Sphere’s extensive catalog of online programs).
Materials:
- hieroglyphic alphabet translation chart (linked below)
- blank paper
- something to write with
Instructions:
- What do you want to write about? You could introduce yourself, tell a story, write a letter to a friend, or anything else you want to write!
- Once you figure out what you want to write, use the hieroglyphic alphabet chart to help you translate and write it on a separate piece of paper. Make sure you spell everything correctly!
- Ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphs and images to tell their stories, as you saw above. If you want to add any drawings or images to your story, go ahead!
- After your story is done, give your paper and the hieroglyphic alphabet translation chart to a family member or friend and ask them to translate it! Did they get it right? Have them send one back for you to translate!