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.

3. Papyrus 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. What is ancient Egyptian writing called? Hieroglyphics, it is a form of picture writing. Can you see the hieroglyphic writing on this papyrus?

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 objects

5. Papyrus from the Book of the Dead of Nakht. Papyrus provides information about everyday life in ancient Egypt and the beliefs of the afterlife. Osiris Maat Nakht (the deceased) a pool a house hieroglyphs What can you see on this papyrus? Tjuiu (Nakht’s wife) trees ankh crook and flail linen robesjewellery wigs 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?

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? the god Anubis? the chest of food offerings?

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. Nakht, the tomb owner, is shown 8 times on the papyrus. worshipping the gods? rowing a boat? looking after the crops? ploughing the fields? Can you see Nakht … weighing his heart against the feather of truth?

8. Now you have finished… Find out more about ancient Egyptian papyri Visit the main Museum website www.britishmuseum.org Use Explore to look at some of our papyri www.britishmuseum.org/explore/introduction.aspx Learn more about papyri www.ancientegypt.co.uk