Hieroglyphic Writing in Ancient Egypt – History and Facts
The Ancient Egyptians created one of the earliest forms of writing, referred to as “hieroglyphs.” The term “hieroglyph” comes from the Greek words “hieros” (sacred) and “glyphein” (to carve or engrave), as the earliest uses of these symbols were carved on stone monuments.
Hieroglyphic writing was not just a communication tool but a profound representation of the cultural, religious, and philosophical life of ancient Egyptians. Its elegant pictorial form and deep symbolism provide invaluable insights into one of history’s most fascinating civilizations. Image: Hieroglyphs on stela in Louvre, circa 1321 BC
Basics of Hieroglyphs
Unlike alphabets that represent sounds, hieroglyphs can represent sounds, objects, ideas, or even abstract concepts. A single hieroglyph could stand for a word, a sound, or even a syllable.
Hieroglyphs can be written in rows or columns, and they can be read from left to right, right to left, or top to bottom. The direction in which the characters (especially animals or people) face indicates the beginning of the text.
Also, hieroglyphic writing often combined logographic (whole-word symbols) and phonetic signs, which allowed for a wide range of expression.
Historical Development
The origins of hieroglyphs trace back to the predynastic periods (before 3100 BC) of Egypt, where early forms of these symbols appeared on pottery and ivory tags.
Hieroglyphs were standardized during the Old Kingdom (c. 2686-2181 BC). They were used extensively in the inscriptions of the Pyramids and surrounding temples.
The writing flourished during these periods (c. 2050-1069 BC). Major works, including religious texts like the “Book of the Dead,” were penned in hieroglyphs during this time.
Egyptian hieroglyphs with cartouches for the name Ramesses II, from the Luxor Temple, New Kingdom
By the Late Period of ancient Egypt (664-332 BC), hieroglyphs began to decline in regular use, especially with the rise of other scripts like Demotic. The spread of Christianity further reduced the use of hieroglyphs, as many pagan temples (the primary locations for hieroglyphic inscriptions) were abandoned or repurposed.
Hieroglyphs at Amada, at temple founded by 18th Dynasty pharaoh Tuthmosis III
Uses of Hieroglyphs
Hieroglyphs were commonly used for inscriptions on monuments like temples, tombs, and obelisks. These inscriptions often celebrated the achievements of pharaohs, gods, and other important figures.
Many religious hymns, prayers, spells, and myths were written in hieroglyphs. The “Book of the Dead,” for instance, was a collection of spells written in hieroglyphs that the deceased used to navigate the afterlife.
Royal decrees, laws, and other official statements were inscribed in hieroglyphs on stone stelae or temple walls to emphasize their importance and permanence.
This script, comprising detailed and pictorial characters, was often reserved for monumental and religious writings. In the context of the Book of the Dead, hieroglyphs were often used for deluxe or high-status versions, given their decorative and ceremonial nature. Image: The Book of the Dead was a guide to the deceased’s journey in the afterlife.
Transition and Decline
While hieroglyphs were the script of choice for monumental inscriptions, the Egyptians also developed other scripts, like Hieratic (a cursive form of hieroglyphs) and later, Demotic, for everyday purposes like record-keeping or correspondence.
With the spread of Christianity in Egypt and the decline of native Egyptian religious practices, the use of hieroglyphs declined. By the end of the 4th century AD, the knowledge of how to read hieroglyphs was lost.
Egyptian Hieroglyphs typical of the Graeco-Roman period
Interesting facts about hieroglyphic writing
The word “hieroglyph” is derived from the Greek words “hieros” (sacred) and “glyphein” (to carve), indicating the system’s original use for sacred and ceremonial purposes.
Jean-François Champollion, a French scholar, successfully decoded hieroglyphs in the 1820s, reviving humanity’s ability to access the rich history of ancient Egypt. Image: The French philologist and orientalist Jean-François Champollion.
It wasn’t until the discovery of the Rosetta Stone in 1799, which had inscriptions in Greek, Demotic, and hieroglyphs, that scholars began to decode this ancient script. The efforts of scholars, most notably Jean-François Champollion in the 1820s, led to the decipherment of hieroglyphs and the ability to read the rich texts of ancient Egypt once again.
The understanding of hieroglyphs was lost by the end of the 4th century AD. It wasn’t until the discovery of the Rosetta Stone in 1799, which carried inscriptions in Greek, Demotic, and hieroglyphs, that attempts to decipher the script became feasible.
