Hieroglyphics were the ancient Egyptian system of writing using symbols that originated as pictograms carved in stone. It was used from around 3000 BC to 500 BC, consisting of over 700 symbols that could represent sounds, objects, or concepts. The Rosetta Stone, discovered in 1799, helped scholars understand hieroglyphics because it contained a passage in hieroglyphic, demotic, and Greek scripts.

1. Hieroglyphics A brief history

2. What, Where, Why? Ancient Egyptians called this mdju netjer – “words of the gods” Name comes from the Greek ta hieroglyphica “the sacred carved letters” The earliest and longest lasting form of Egyptian script (3000 B.C. to 500 B.C.) Consisted of at least 700 symbols. Began as a way of writing text onto surfaces but ended up as a religious usage.

3. How? Ancient Egyptians used brushes made out of reed plants For the ink they mixed ashes with water They used stones as a surface but then evolved to papyrus, which is made out of reed stems.

4. A Language of Symbols Each symbol had more than one use One symbol alone could have up to 3 different meanings Sometimes the symbols were phonetic or just a symbol

5. Numbers

6. Rosetta Stone Discovered in 1799 in Rosetta, Egypt by Napoleon’s Army Contained a passage translated in three different languages: Greek, demotic, and hieroglyphics. The rock is 45” by 30” and about 12” deep, weighing 1,676 lbs. Is found at the British Museum since 1802.