Egyptian Literature
Compositions of the Middle Kingdom (about 2025-1700 BC)

Background information

• Historical period: the Middle Kingdom
• Language: Middle Egyptian
• Script: hieratic
• Literacy: spectrum of opportunities, rather than illiterate/literate opposition
• Ranges of writing: manuscript and inscription
• Manuscript writing resources: papyrus paper and reed pen
• Circulating and reading
• Survival: fragility of papyrus

Copyright © 2000 University College London. All rights reserved.