Hieroglyphics were sacred Egyptian writings that could have up to three meanings each. They were written on the Rosetta Stone in three scripts: hieroglyphics on top, demotic hieroglyphics in the middle, and ancient Greek on the bottom. Cartouches were oval shapes used to represent the names of pharaohs, queens and other important figures. Egyptians used over 700 symbols in hieroglyphics on buildings and tombs to represent words and sounds.