The history of hieroglyphics in ancient Egypt is believed to date back
as far as 3000 B.C. Scholars offer varying opinions regarding the
identity of Egyptian hieroglyphics inventors. While not much is known
about the inventors and the early history of hieroglyphics, the study of this ancient system of writing remains applicable even in today's modern society
Throughout the long history of hieroglyphics, this
system of writing utilizing ancient Egyptian symbols underwent many
changes. There were six primary periods during which this ancient
language was used in Egypt. A weakened form of the language is still
spoken today; although only in the Coptic Church. It is thought that
from the first use of the language until the last known use around 500
A.D., there were thousands of symbols used. While all of these symbols
were not primarily used to write in hieroglyphics at the same time, this
ancient language still remained extremely difficult to learn. At
any given time, there were likely at least 700 or so symbols used and
each symbol often had more than one use. One of the most interesting
facts about hieroglyphics is that one symbol alone could have up to
three meanings and could be either phonetic or simply a representative
of the picture it depicted.
After the Roman Empire
began its rule of the Egyptian nation, hieroglyphics faded from popular
use. By the time Napoleon's army invaded Egypt in 1798 and subsequently
discovered the Rosetta stone a year later, the system of writing
using ancient Egyptian symbols was a thorough mystery to foreigners.
While Napoleon's invasion of Egypt is considered by most scholars to be a
dismal failure, the discovery of the famed Rosetta Stone was monumental
in the history of hieroglyphics. Upon examination of the black asphalt
tablet, scholars determined that the same inscription was written in two
forms of ancient Egyptian symbols; ancient hieroglyphics and demotic hieroglyphics.
The latter form had been developed towards the end of the ancient
language's use and utilized a cursive script. The most amazing facts
about hieroglyphics contained on the Rosetta Stone was that they came
with a Greek translation. It was discovered that the Rosetta
Stone contained affirmations in hieroglyphics quotes regarding the
legitimacy of a ruling family around 196 B.C. The Ptolemy family, of
Macedonian descent, had ruled Egypt since the days of Alexander the
Great; when one of his generals was appointed to the throne. Cleopatra
was descended from this same family; many generations later. The Greek
translation of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics allowed modern scholars to
begin piecing together an understanding of the history of
hieroglyphics.
The Use of Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics
Throughout the history of hieroglyphics these ancient Egyptian
symbols were utilized for a variety of purposes. It is well known that
hieroglyphics were prominently displayed on pyramids and tombs of the
royalty. Hieroglyphics obviously played an important role in conveying
the history of the Egyptian nation and particularly the accomplishments and feats of the Egyptian pharaohs.
Excavations of the pyramids have proven that hieroglyphics were also
used on jewelry as well as nameplates for royalty, referred to as cartouche.
