Follow-up 4

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Objectives:
To demonstrate that different people use different shapes to write on so that the contents are recognizable. To understand how epigraphers begin to understand ancient scripts and languages.

Materials:
Pictures of different shaped Indus seals, cuneiform tablets, modern book with writing, telephone directory, coins, texts in different languages, etc.

Class set-up:
Class discussion, individual work

Vocabulary:
Seal, communication.

Activity:
Remind the pupils that the people of ancient India used different shaped metal or stone seals to record different types of information. Ask the class why this might be useful.
  • Why use different shapes for different kinds of information?
  • Why would it be useful to use different shapes?
  • Why might we use different shapes to communicate today?
Show the class the modern examples.
  • What kind of information would you expect to find on this?
  • How did you know that without looking inside/reading the text?
Ask the pupils to look around the classroom and find different objects with writing on.
  • How does the shape help you decide what is written on it?
Ask each pupil to draw up a table with the range of objects, sizes and uses.

Background information:
How to decipher an unknown script
Seals
Writing
Language

 

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