FACT: Ancient Egyptian Medicine: Hog's Tooth Cake

Got a stomach ache? If you lived in ancient Egypt, a local priest might prescribe a slice or two of Hog's Tooth Cake as a cure.

What exactly is Hog's Tooth Cake? It's just like it sounds: A cake, with a hog's tooth in it. 

Ancient Egyptian Cure?

Ingredients:

• 1 Hog's tooth 
• The dough for four sugar cakes 

Baking Instructions:

1. Get a tooth from a hog. The bigger the better.
2. Crush the tooth as best as possible with a mortar and pestle. Aim for a fine powder, no one likes chunky teeth in their cake.
3. Mix the crushed hog's tooth into the prepared cake batter.
4. Pour batter into four small cake tins.
5. Bake until golden.
6. Eat one cake per day, for four days.

Seriously though, don't try this at home!

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THE LETTER "A" in Hieroglyphics

There are two hieroglyphic symbols for the letter A.

See how they differ, and which symbol is used for which sound.

Pyramids, obelisks, and tombs are covered with symbols, which explorers first believed were simply interesting pictures. Archeologists eventually learned that those pretty pictures were a form of writing called hieroglyphics. They realized that tombs and pyramids were covered with stories and information.

It was an amazing discovery. By learning to read hieroglyphics, the ancient past was opened up. Explorers, archeologists, and historians could hardly believe the treasure trove of knowledge that the ancient Egyptians left behind in writing.

So let's get down to translating hieroglyphs! There are two symbols to represent "A". Each symbol is used for a different sounding "A".

The first hieroglyphic is the vulture. The Vulture is an Egyptian symbol of divine power and is pronounced "AH"

The vulture = AH

This vulture symbol for the Letter A is pronounced "ah" as in SQUAWK. 

REMEMBER KEY:

Vultures are birds that SQUAWK. 

Think 'A is for squawk' to remember the vulture symbol.

WRITE YOUR NAME

The vulture hieroglyphic could be used to write the A in names like 

Jonathan, Dylan, Landon, 

Alden, Emma, and Isabella.

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The second hieroglyphic is the arm.

The Arm = "AY"

This arm symbol for the letter A in Egyptian hieroglyphics is pronounced "ay" as in AID

REMEMBER KEY: 

Aiding a friend is something you can do with your arms. 

Think 'A is for AID' to remember its shape.

WRITE YOUR NAME

The arm hieroglyphic could be used to write the A in names like 

Jacob, Jayden, David,

Amy, Grace, and Taylor

Choose a letter to see its Hieroglyphic symbol:

a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h	i
j	k	l	m	n	o	p	q	r
s	t	u	v	w	x	y	z

See our complete:  
Hieroglyphic Chart >

THE EGYPTIAN MUMMY QUIZ

Mummies usually bring up visions of zombies, Hallowe'en costumes, dress-up, and the walking dead. Mummies might be creepy, but they're definitely impressive! Those Ancient Egyptians really knew what they were doing when they set out to preserve a body for eternal life.

True or False: Pharaohs Took Servants To Grave?

DID ANCIENT EGYPTIANS BURY SLAVES INSIDE THEIR PHARAOHS' TOMBS?

Make Your Own Egyptian Amulet

Feel like you need some extra powers to help with that upcoming test? Or how about that new move you're working on? Try making a cool amulet!

In ancient Egypt, amulets ranged from elaborate carvings to simple messages written on a piece of stone or a scrap of papyrus. Amulets were worn to heal an illness, protect the wearer against danger, or to help them make it through a difficult time.


How? A person made an amulet by writing down a spell or wish. It was then knotted to a string and worn around the neck. Some people simply wrote their spell on a stone, and others wrote it on a sheet of papyrus and rolled it into a small scroll.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR AMULET

MATERIALS:
    • Paper
    • Scissors
    • String or colored yarn
    • Markers, pencils or pens

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Think of a good wish or spell.
    Here are a few ideas:
       • To do well at a contest. 

        • To make new friends

        • To get through an upcoming test
Your imagination is the limit.

2. Cut your paper:
    Using either white or colored paper, cut out a 3-inch square.

3. Write down your wish:
    Write your wish on your square. You can use colored pens, and you could even add glitter.

4. Add extra ancient magic!
    Draw one of these symbols on your amulet.

5. Roll it up into a tiny scroll.
    Here's a really old looking scroll for inspiration!


6. Wear it, or put it someplace special.
    Using a piece string or twine, or even a piece of colored wool, wind the string tightly around the spell. Then fasten it around your wrist, ankle or neck.

    You could also put the amulet in a special place instead, like a small jewelry box.


Remember, magic spells should only be used for good!

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