2. 2
Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics
Egypt
developed a
pictorial
writing
system called
hieroglyphics.
This is from the
entrance to the
Great Pyramid
at Giza.
3. 3
Ceremonial Writing
Hieroglyphics stems
from the Greek word
hieroglyphica, which
means “sacred
carvings”.
Hieroglyphics were
used for permanent
messages.
The Egyptians believed
that these texts helped
guide the dead through
the afterlife.
4. 4
Ceremonial Writing
Some were
carved
inscriptions on
monuments
and buildings.
Others were
painted on the
inside walls of
buildings and
tombs.
5. 5
The Rosetta Stone
After the fall of ancient
Egyptian civilization in 30
BC, the meaning of
hieroglyphs remained a
mystery for about 1,800
years.
Carved in 196 B.C.
Found in 1799 in the town
of Rosetta in the Nile Delta.
Deciphered fully in 1822 by
Champollion.
Was inscribed with three
separate texts (languages),
saying the same thing (Greek,
Demotic and Hieratic).
6. 6
The Rosetta Stone
The writing was a
message about
Ptolemy V, who was
ruling Egypt at the
time.
Exhibited in the
British Museum
since 1802.
July 2003, Egyptians
demanded the return
of the Stone.
7. 7
Hieroglyphic writing
The language consisted of more than 750
individual signs.
The picture signs can be written from right to
left; from left to right; or vertically, reading
downwards.
The Egyptians constructed words by using
different combinations.
8. 8
Alphabetic signs
They are single sounds.
The Egyptians took most vowels for granted
and did not represent them.
12. 12
Hieratic writing
For everyday
use, a script
form of
hieroglyphics
evolved
called
hieratic.
This is from a
letter written
about 1790
BCE.
13. 13
Papyrus Rolls
Egyptians developed a
sort of paper made
from the pith of the
papyrus reeds growing
on the side of the Nile.
These were made into
long strips and then
rolled and unrolled for
use.
