The History of Writing

A Brief Description of the Programme

Students follow the historical evolution of writing, starting this journey from cave paintings and the invention of cuneiform writing to Egyptian hieroglyphics, the birth of the Greek alphabet, the invention of typography and e-book readers.

Travelling through time, students discover the evolution of writing instruments and materials and are given the opportunity to engage creatively with them. They print messages on clay, wax, papyrus and parchment, but also by using a typewriter. They use reed and wooden pens and goose feathers! Finally, with the help of technology they convert the texts produced into Braille.

Purpose – Educational Objectives

The purpose of this programme is to bring students into contact with the types of writing and the materials used. Students learn about the ways of producing these instruments and materials used over time (papyrus, parchment, cylinder, etc.) and the link between writing and scientific, cultural and social developments.

Target Audience

Pupils attending the last two grades of primary school and high school students. The programme may be attended by groups of up to about 25 students.

The duration of the workshop is 1.5 hours. Depending on the class participating in the programme, emphasis is placed on the content of the corresponding school material taught at each educational level. 

The programme has been approved by the Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs (decision 182509/D7).