---
title: "Hieroglyphs and Papyrus"
description: "Know that the ancient Egyptians used a special writing system called hieroglyphs — pictures and symbols that stood for sounds and words — and that they wrote on a paper-like material called papyrus, w"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/hieroglyphs-and-papyrus-mt_iFkd0CTwlA
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/hieroglyphs-and-papyrus-mt_iFkd0CTwlA.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Hieroglyphs and Papyrus

Know that the ancient Egyptians used a special writing system called hieroglyphs — pictures and symbols that stood for sounds and words — and that they wrote on a paper-like material called papyrus, which was made from a plant that grew along the Nile

Subject: History · Area: Ancient Egypt · Ages 5 to 7
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/hieroglyphs-and-papyrus-mt_iFkd0CTwlA

## Ready when they can

- Describe hieroglyphs as a writing system that uses pictures and symbols
- Explain that papyrus was a material like paper made from a river plant
- Understand that only specially trained people called scribes could read and write hieroglyphs

## Lesson: Hieroglyphs and Papyrus

Long ago, Egyptians wrote with hieroglyphs. Hieroglyphs are pictures, not letters. Each picture stands for a sound or a word.

*(drawing: These pictures could be read together, like a sentence.)*

Egyptians did not write on paper like we do. They used papyrus instead. Papyrus came from a tall plant. This plant grew along the Nile River.

**Example.** Mia sees old writing in a museum. She sees rows of little pictures. A guide tells her they are hieroglyphs. The guide says Egyptians wrote them on papyrus.

**Tip.** Only special writers called scribes learned hieroglyphs. It could take many years to learn. Reading hieroglyphs was a hard skill.

**Recap.** Egyptians wrote with pictures called hieroglyphs. They wrote on papyrus, and only scribes could read it.

## Practice

24 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Knowing all letters](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/knowing-all-letters-mt_frDIaXzWbx)
- [Everyday Life in Ancient Egypt](https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/everyday-life-in-ancient-egypt-mt_P0HBNfp46z)
- [Vocabulary: ancient egypt](https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/vocabulary-ancient-egypt-mt_szw1Ln490b)

## Opens up

- [Scribes and the Rosetta Stone](https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/scribes-and-the-rosetta-stone-mt_V_kAitNbLN)