Palette inscribed for Smendes, High Priest of Amun ca. 1045–992 B.C. Third Intermediate Period.

Egyptian scribes perfected their skill in the art of writing as apprentices. They would copy hieroglyphs and phrases on chips of stone and fragments of pottery (ostraca), or on whitewashed writing boards (see 28.9.5).

Ascribe would have owned a writing palette like this one, which provides space for two colours of ink and a slot for reed brushes (Egyptian scribes used brushes, not pens)...