By Madeleine Muzdakis on May 5, 2021
A student s writing board from the Middle Kingdom period, circa 1981–1802 BCE. The red marks are those of a teacher correcting their student s spelling. (Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Public domain)
Have you ever received test papers back from your teacher all decorated in red ink? Don t worry, you re not the only one. This standard form of correcting students work is an ancient educational tradition as evidenced by an ancient Egyptian
writing board in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Dating to between 1981 and 1802 BCE, during the Middle Kingdom period, the