This Kapow pupil video is part of the Kapow History scheme of work. It introduces ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and explores how writing helped shape Egyptian civilisation. Hieroglyphics were picture symbols that could be used to write sounds, words or ideas. Only scribes were trained to read and write them, and they spent years learning this special skill. Ancient Egyptians believed that hieroglyphics were a gift from Thoth, the god of knowledge, and they used them to record prayers, laws, trade and religious beliefs.

Hieroglyphs were carved on stone walls, written on papyrus, and even painted on writing boards. They could be read in different directions depending on how the symbols were facing. Some texts were carved inside tombs to guide the dead into the afterlife, and the names of pharaohs were written inside cartouches. Hieroglyphics were used for more than 3,000 years, but by the fifth century AD, people stopped using them and the skill was forgotten – until thousands of years later, when the Rosetta Stone helped historians unlock their meaning.

The video is designed to be shown to pupils as part of History, Lower key stage 2, Year 3, *New* What was important to ancient Egyptians? Lesson 3: How do we know so much about ancient Egyptians?