Unravelling Ancient Writing Systems through the High School Enrichment Program

Mon. Dec. 16, 2024

The University of Winnipeg's High School Enrichment Program, which runs April 28–May 2, 2025, provides students in grades 9 through 12 with a glimpse into their post-secondary future.

Dr. Flavia Vasconcellos Amaral of the Department of Classics will be offering the following course for the 2025 Enrichment Program:

Unravelling Ancient Writing Systems

This course will introduce students to the most fascinating technology the human brain has ever created: writing. Via the examination of ancient artifacts, literature, cave paintings, and inscriptions, we will explore:

1. the origins of writing and reasons to write;
2. historical developments in deciphering and interpreting ancient writing systems; and
3. how ancient and modern writings are interconnected.

Students will be introduced to research and contemporary debates on the importance of writing now and then, how writing systems emerged and developed, and how we can further the investigation of language acquisition and writing using new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and 3D modelling.