The earliest samples we have of writing is recorded on dried clay tablets. These were used to record everything from store ledgers to schooling lessons. A fine-pointed tool with no ink, called a “stylus,” was used to carve symbols into the clay while it was still somewhat soft to create a permanent mark once dried.

Prior to writing, the clay could be formed either into flat tablets, or shaped into small balls that fit comfortably in the hand. However, once the clay was dry, neither the shape nor the writing could be changed without seriously altering or destroying the carvings.

In this activity, students will practice carving with a stylus onto a piece of clay.

Clay, either modeling clay (can be collected and reused), air-dry clay, or pottery clay (most realistic)

Optional: hieroglyphics chart print-out, paper

Pass out the clay, along with a bamboo skewer, to each student. Using the hieroglyphics chart, have students practice 

 on paper to start before switching to the clay carving. Let students experiment with: holding the clay or laying it flat, with either end of the skewer, and with the thickness of their tablets. What makes writing this way easier? More difficult? Which might preserve better?

Also try with cuneiform using the Penn Museum’s “Write Your Name in Cuneiform” webpage:

Is this easier, or more difficult than the hieroglyphics?

Standards for Write Your Name in Hieroglyphics