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Egyptian hieroglyphics explained
In this History video, the children are introduced to ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and explore how writing helped shape Egyptian civilisation. The children learn that hieroglyphics were pictorial symbols used to represent sounds, words, or ideas, and that only trained scribes could read and write them after many years of study.
The video explains that the Egyptians believed hieroglyphics were a gift from Thoth and used them to record prayers, laws, trade and religious beliefs. The children discover how hieroglyphs appeared on stone walls, papyrus, and writing boards, how the direction of the symbols indicated the direction of reading, and why cartouches were used for royal names.
As part of Kapow Primary’s ancient Egypt series, the children explore how hieroglyphics recorded beliefs, laws and everyday life and how the Rosetta Stone unlocked this ancient writing.
See more of our Year 3 History scheme of work.
- History, Year 3, *New* What was important to ancient Egyptians? Lesson 3: How do we know so much about ancient Egyptians?
- History, Year 3, *New* What was important to ancient Egyptians?
- History, Year 3/4 (B), *New* What was important to ancient Egyptians? Lesson 3: How do we know so much about ancient Egyptians?
- History, Year 3/4 (B), *New* What was important to ancient Egyptians?
