A student’s writing board from the Middle Kingdom period, circa 19811802 BCE.
The red marks are those of a teacher correcting their student’s spelling.
Don’t worry, you’re not the only one.
A student’s writing board from the Middle Kingdom period, circa 1981–1802 BCE. The red marks are those of a teacher correcting their student’s spelling. (Photo:The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Public domain)
Ancient Egyptian bureaucracy and industry required extensive record keeping and correspondence.
To meet this need, promising young men trained as scribes from an early age.
A solution to the scribe’s problem developed by about 3,000 BCE.
Fragments from a Scribe’s Writing Board, ca. 2130–1981 BCE. (Photo:Metropolitan Museum of Art, Public domain)
A cursive version of hieroglyphics known ashieraticbecame the dominant script used in administrative and religious documents.
The student’s board above is an example of this script.
He writes (jokingly it seems) to his brother Peh-ny-su, treating him like a wealthy authority figure.
Scribes from Meketre’s Model Granary, from the Middle Kingdom circa 1981 to 1975 BCE. (Photo:The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Public domain)
Apprentice scribes like Iny-su would have been required to practice writing and memorize these useful form documents and letters.
Fragments from a Scribe’s Writing Board, ca.
Scale models found in tombs depict scribes sitting on the ground, often cross-legged.
Writing board of an apprentice scribe, showing formal hieroglyphics which are oddly spaced and inexpertly shaped. From the First Intermediate Period, circa 2030 BCE. (Photo:The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Public domain)
They hold tablets much like the one used by Iny-su.
These writing boards were crafted from wood and could be framed in precious materials such as ebony.
In this way, students could practice their penmanship and boards could be resumed.
Palette inscribed for Smendes, High Priest of Amun, circa 1045–992 BCE. (Photo:The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Public domain)
Apprentice scribes also often practiced on ostracabroken pieces of pottery which were recycled for writing.
More practiced scribes could also use stone, papyrus, leather, or clay tablets.
The master scribe’s corrections appear in red inkjust one of the many colors available toEgyptian scribes.
Writing board which is missing most of the gesso which once covered it. From the Middle Kingdom, circa 2030–1981 BCE. (Photo:The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Public domain)
Archeologists have found rich and colorfulpigments preserved in palettesleft behind by ancient artisans.
A standard writing palette might hold two colors of ink as well as reed brushes.
The ink was mixed from pigment and a light gum.
Scribe’s Knife from the burial of Amenemhat, New Kingdom, circa 1504–1447 BCE. (Photo:The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Public domain)
Before writing, the scribe might cut his reeds into a sharp point using a knife.
For a more brush-like tip, he could also chew the end of the reed.
Mistakes could be painted over or scraped away depending on the writing surface.
Young Iny-su was just getting started with his career when he completed this writing assignment 4,000 years ago.
Like other Egyptian scribes, he was a vital part of the kingdom’s everyday business.
Scribes from Meketre’s Model Granary, from the Middle Kingdom circa 1981 to 1975 BCE.
Writing board of an apprentice scribe, showing formal hieroglyphics which are oddly spaced and inexpertly shaped.
From the First Intermediate Period, circa 2030 BCE.
Palette inscribed for Smendes, High Priest of Amun, circa 1045992 BCE.
Writing board which is missing most of the gesso which once covered it.
From the Middle Kingdom, circa 20301981 BCE.
Scribe’s Knife from the burial of Amenemhat, New Kingdom, circa 15041447 BCE.
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