1. Reading a papyrus
Mini-lesson for schools

2. Papyrus
Papyrus is made from pressed reeds that grew on the banks of the Nile.
It was used for everyday writing, but also for documents which were put in the tomb with the dead.
It can get damaged over time.
Museums used to cut the rolls of papyrus into sheets for easier storage and display. AN
First page of the Book of the Dead of Panedjem, about BC, Thebes in Egypt
Museum number: EA 10793/1

3. Papyrus What is ancient Egyptian writing called?
The Egyptians wrote hieroglyphs on papyrus with a reed pen.
Sometimes the hieroglyphics were drawn carefully.
Sometimes they were done in a quicker version like handwriting – known as hieratic.
Hieroglyphics, it is a form of picture writing. Can you see the hieroglyphic writing on this papyrus? AN
First page of the Book of the Dead of Panedjem, about BC, Thebes in Egypt
Museum number: EA 10793/1

4. Papyrus What can be seen on papyrus? hieroglyphs (written with a pen)
pictures (painted)
In tomb papyri, the pictures can show
deities (gods and goddesses)
humans AN
First page of the Book of the Dead of Panedjem, about BC, Thebes in Egypt
Museum number: EA 10793/1
objects

5. Papyrus from the Book of the Dead of Nakht
Papyrus from the Book of the Dead of Nakht. Papyrus provides information about everyday life in ancient Egypt and the beliefs of the afterlife.
Can you find these people and gods?
Can you find these features of the ancient Egyptian environment?
Can you find some things people wore?
Can you find these Egyptian symbols?
Tjuiu (Nakht’s wife)
trees
What can you see on this papyrus?
crook and flail
Osiris
wigs
hieroglyphs
a house AN
Papyrus from the Book of the Dead of Nakht, BC, Thebes in Egypt
Museum number: EA 10471/21
ankh
linen robes
a pool
jewellery
Maat
Nakht (the deceased)

6. Scene from the Book of the Dead of Hunefer showing a funeral
Can you see ...
the mummy?
the tomb?
the mourners?
the priests?
the ceremonial objects on a table? AN
Page from the Book of the Dead of Hunefer, around 1300 BC, Thebes in Egypt
Museum number: EA 9901 sheet 5
the chest of food offerings?
the god Anubis?

7. A scene showing the afterlife from the Book of the Dead of Nakht
This papyrus shows us some of the activities that the ancient Egyptians believed a person had to do in the afterlife.
weighing his heart against the feather of truth?
Can you see Nakht …
rowing a boat?
Nakht, the tomb owner, is shown 8 times on the papyrus.
looking after the crops?
worshipping the gods? AN
Papyrus from the Book of the Dead of Nakht, BC, Thebes in Egypt
Museum number: EA 10471/13
ploughing the fields?

8. Now you have finished… Find out more about ancient Egyptian papyri
Visit the main Museum website