Writing in Ancient Egypt

Was there a written language in Ancient Egypt? 

If so, who wrote?

What was written?

How is writing similar/different today?

     In Egypt there was a writing system called hieroglyphics. Hieroglyphics is a system of symbols that represent words. Only some boys learned to read and write. The ones who learned how to read and write were very wealthy and were in the upper class. Only boys learned how to write because they had more rights than women. They grew up to be scribes or priests. Scirbes kept track of everything from trade to holidays.

     Scribes also kept track of things that happened in wars, speeches and other important events. Priests kept track of religious hoilidays and everything else that had to be written for the churches. You may think that writing today is completely different than it was in ancient Egypt, but it is not that different. Writing was done by only a few rich men in ancient Egypt, today it is done by almost everyone: rich, poor,boy or girl. In ancient Egypt, writing wasn't used as often as it is today. Writing is used all the time now. In ancient Egypt, few people knew how to write, so it wasn't as common.

     Writing is now used for homework, birthday invitations, school projects, books speeches, religios holidays, the newspapers, the internet, and other important things. In ancient Egypt, writing was used for important events,speeches,religious holidays and other important things. These are some ways that ancieny Egyptian writing is siniliar and different to today's writing.

Mesopotamia-Early center civilization, in the area of modern Iraq and eastern Syria between the Tigris and Euphrates River.

Artisan-skilled craftperson

Narmer-also known as Menes As king of Upper Egypt, he led his armies north and took control of Lower Egypt

Deities-gods and goddesses

Giza-on the west bank of the desert

Ahmose- led an uprising that drove the Hyksos out of Egypt

Ramses II-The most effective Pharaoh

Meroe-a trading city and a center for making iron

Resources      

• Journey Across Time ch.  l.
• www.dragonstrike.com/egypt/write.htm
• www.touregypt.net/dictionary.htm

Writing Team (list member first names & last initial)

• Tim E. - Editor
• Nick T. - Librarian
• Ryan L. - Vocabulary
• Brendan L. - Illustrator
• Richie L. - Reasercher