Writing Lines for Detention is Older Than You May Think

 A common punishment in schools, both in real life and in movies, is a kid sitting at a desk writing lines over and over. Or, in the case of Bart Simpson, the chalkboard. But, how old do you think this punishment is? 

via GIPHY

If you're thinking it isn't too old because not too long ago they'd just hit kids hands with rulers or something similar, you would be wrong.

In February 2022, it was reported that archeologists working at the site of Athribis (200 km north of Luxor), uncovered more than 18,000 pieces of pottery that were inscribed with details of life in Ancient Egypt. Including what archaeologists and researchers believe are lines written by misbehaving students. Over and over again. 

The same symbol was found on hundreds of pieces, front and back.

Hundreds of tablets like this were found. Archaeologists and researchers believe these were made by misbehaving students. Credit:  Athribis-Project Tübingen (found on CNN)

According to Professor Christian Leitz of the University of Tubingen (he led the excavation alongside Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities), the pottery fragments are from an ancient school. The pottery pieces are about 2,000 years old and, in addition to the lines written by misbehaving students, there are also lists of months, numbers, math problems, and grammar exercises. There is even what the professor called a "bird alphabet" where a letter was assigned to a bird whose name started with that letter.

I will admit, of all the school disciplinary tools I thought could be traced back to ancient times, writing lines was not one of them!

"Lines Written by 'Naughty Pupils' among 18,000 Ancient Pottery Fragments Found in Egypt." CNN. February 10, 2022. https://www.cnn.com/style/article/ancient-egypt-athribis-ostraca/index.html

Shoaib, Alia. "2,000 years ago 'naughty' students in Ancient Egypt were forced to write lines as punishment, newly discovered pottery fragments reveal." Business Insider. February 12, 2022. https://www.businessinsider.com/naughty-students-in-ancient-egypt-wrote-pottery-lines-as-punishment-2022-2

"15 Extraordinary Discoveries of 2022." CNN. December 16, 2022.  https://www.cnn.com/style/article/art-archaeology-discoveries-2022/index.html