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Imagine messages carved in stone 3,000 years ago. Imagine clay tablets recording royal secrets, sacred rituals, and everyday life. Imagine trying to decode writing systems that few people in the world can read, and discovering that we're still cracking the code today.
CodeAW is your gateway into the world of ancient Anatolian civilizations and their fascinating writing systems. We're not just showing you dusty old artifacts, we're inviting you to become code-breakers, exploring how the Hittites, Luwians, Lydians, and other ancient peoples communicated, recorded knowledge, and left messages across millennia.
Who are we?
CodeAW is part of the CAncAn project (Communication in Ancient Anatolia), an ERC-funded research project led by Professor Annick Payne. Our interdisciplinary team includes postdoctoral researchers Šárka Velhartická, Nathan Lovejoy, and Sveva Elti di Rodeano, and doctoral students Emanuele Alleva, Gabriele Biancalani, and Nicolò Bordoni – specialists in ancient languages, archaeology, linguistics, and cultural heritage.
We are passionate about making ancient Anatolian writing accessible, exciting, and relevant to everyone, whether you're a curious student, a teacher looking for engaging materials, or someone who simply loves history.
We believe that understanding how ancient people wrote and communicated teaches us something profound about human civilization: communication is power, connection, and memory.
Meet Sveva Elti di Rodeano: Why writing systems tell us more
Why study writing systems instead of just languages? Meet Sveva Elti di Rodeano, Postdoctoral Researcher on the CAncAn project, as she explains her journey from historical linguistics to the fascinating, layered world of ancient writing. Discover why understanding how people wrote, not just what they wrote, unlocks the real identities and experiences of ancient Anatolians.
Meet Emanuele Alleva: Beyond words, understanding lost languages
How many ancient languages can you actually know, and what does "knowing" an ancient language even mean? Meet Emanuele Alleva, Doctoral Student on the CAncAn project, as he explores what makes studying ancient Anatolian languages fundamentally different from modern languages. Discover why complex writing systems on ancient artifacts are irresistible puzzles, what the most common curse inscribed on tombstones actually says, and how curiosity drives him to decipher these lost voices.
What will you find here?
This website is designed for you, whether you're completely new to ancient Anatolia or ready for deeper exploration.
- Interactive presentations that bring ancient writing to life
- Hands-on activities: decode hieroglyphics, create your own clay tablets, design writing systems
- Quizzes and puzzles to test your knowledge
Where to start?
- New to this topic? Begin with our main presentation to get oriented. Learn about the Hittite Empire, discover the two main writing systems (cuneiform and Anatolian hieroglyphics), and understand why ancient Anatolia matters today.
- Want hands-on activities right away? Jump to our interactive puzzles and writing challenges. Try deciphering a real Luwian hieroglyphic, or create your own bilingual inscription.
- Ready to dive deeper? Explore our teacher resources, research links, and "Going Deeper" section for more advanced topics and academic articles.
Teaching materials
(coming soon)
Ready to bring ancient Anatolian writing into your classroom?
This section offers everything you need: ready-to-use presentations, hands-on activities, quizzes and puzzles, plus complete teacher guides with solutions and background information.
All materials are available in multiple languages and in both digital and printable formats – download what you need and start exploring.
Teacher resources
(coming soon)
Teach with confidence.
This section provides comprehensive support for educators: detailed notes on learning objectives and curriculum alignment, timing guides, equipment lists with alternatives, solutions to all activities, and background research to deepen your own understanding.
Whether you're new to ancient Anatolia or an experienced educator, find everything you need to make these lessons engaging, accessible, and effective for your students.
See it in action
Theory is one thing – but does it actually work?
Hear from teachers who've used CodeAW activities in their classrooms, and watch students tackle hieroglyphic puzzles, create clay tablets, and discover the thrill of becoming code-breakers.
These authentic reflections show the real impact of our activities and might inspire you to try them in your own setting.
Antonio - Highlands Institute, Rome
Seals were powerful tools in the ancient world, used to authenticate documents, mark ownership, and display authority. Meet Antonio, a 9-year-old student, as he explores a remarkable artifact: a seal bearing both Hittite cuneiform and Luwian hieroglyphic writing. Discover what this dual-script object reveals about communication, cultural contact, and identity in ancient Anatolia.
Federico, Highlands Institute, Rome
Creating your own ancient writing artifact is a powerful way to understand how scribes worked and what messages mattered to them. Meet Federico, a 9-year-old student, as he shares the two papyri he created using Egyptian hieroglyphs. Discover what inspired his designs, what he gained from his schoolwork, and how making ancient writing brought history to life for him.
Feedbacks and questions
We'd love to hear from you.
Have you used CodeAW in your classroom? Discovered something fascinating? Have a question or suggestion?
Reach out to us at codeaw@unive.it – we read every message and look forward to connecting with you.