Changes

[[Image:Hieroglyphs.jpg|thumb|right|Egyptian hieroglyphs on a Late Period [[sarcophagus]] at the [[British Museum]] in [[London]].]]

[[Image:Hieroglyphs.jpg|thumb|right|Egyptian hieroglyphs on a Late Period [[sarcophagus]] at the [[British Museum]] in [[London]].]]

'''Hieroglyphs''' were developed in [[Ancient Egypt]] as a way to write the [[Egyptian language]]. Other cultures, most notably the [[Maya]] civilization also used similar writing systems, though Maya hieroglyphs were an entirely independent development, taking place several thousand years later, and were much more restricted in use. Whilst Egyptian hieroglyphs were first deciphered in the 19th century by [[Jean Francois Champollion]], Mayan hieroglyphs have only recently begun to be understood, and much work remains to be done.  

'''Hieroglyphs''' were developed in [[Ancient Egypt]] as a way to write the [[Egyptian language]]. Other cultures, most notably the [[Maya]] civilization also used similar writing systems, though Maya hieroglyphs were an entirely independent development, taking place several thousand years later, and were much more restricted in use. Whilst Egyptian hieroglyphs were first deciphered in the 19th century by [[Jean Francois Champollion]], Mayan hieroglyphs have only recently begun to be understood, and much work remains to be done.  

== Development ==

== Development ==

== Pre amd Early Dynastic ==

== Pre and Early Dynastic ==

=== Classical (Middle) Egyptian ===

=== Classical (Middle) Egyptian ===

=== Ptolemaic Era and Cryptographic Inscriptions ===

=== Ptolemaic Era and Cryptographic Inscriptions ===

During the Ptolemaic era the number of signs was increased dramatically, from around 800 to several thousand, many of which were ligatures of existing signs. The rise in the complexity co-incided with the rise of so-called cryptographic texts in temple inscriptions that aimed to deliberately obscure and challenge the reader. The reasons for this are unknown, and various reasons from xenophobia, cultural pride and nationalism (see also: [[Great Egyptian Revolt]]) to marginlisation and isolation of traditional religion and the rise of Hellenic and syncretic cults have all been suggested.  

During the Ptolemaic era the number of signs was increased dramatically, from around 800 to several thousand, many of which were ligatures of existing signs. The rise in the complexity coincided with the rise of so-called cryptographic texts in temple inscriptions that aimed to deliberately obscure and challenge the reader. The reasons for this are unknown, and various reasons from xenophobia, cultural pride and nationalism (see also: [[Great Egyptian Revolt]]) to marginalization and isolation of traditional religion and the rise of Hellenic and syncretic cults have all been suggested.  

Even before this some Greco-Roman writers had written elaborate and wholly inaccurate works on the “mystical” or “symbolic” interpretations of the signs, and such works continued into the Islamic era. These works inadvertently frustrated attempts at translation into the modern era.

Even before this some Greco-Roman writers had written elaborate and wholly inaccurate works on the “mystical” or “symbolic” interpretations of the signs, and such works continued into the Islamic era. These works inadvertently frustrated attempts at translation into the modern era.

The French invasion of Egypt in 1798 focused European scholarly and academic attention on Egypt for the first time. The discovery of the [[Rosetta Stone]]in 1799 was recognised immediately as the “key” to correct interpretation of Egyptian hieroglyphs, having the same text recorded in Greek and in hieroglyphs, as well as another unknown script.  

The French invasion of Egypt in 1798 focused European scholarly and academic attention on Egypt for the first time. The discovery of the [[Rosetta Stone]]in 1799 was recognized immediately as the “key” to correct interpretation of Egyptian hieroglyphs, having the same text recorded in Greek and in hieroglyphs, as well as another unknown script.  

The British captured the stone in 1801 amid events that are still unclear and controversial. However, the French scholars had taken casts of the stone, with which they returned to Paris. The British believed a method of mathematical deduction would eventually allow the text to be translated, given sufficient time. However, John Francois Champollion, a brilliant linguist familiar with 24 languages, realised both that hieroglyphs had to be phonogrammatic in nature, and also that translating the language was as important as the alphabet.  

The British captured the stone in 1801 amid events that are still unclear and controversial. However, the French scholars had taken casts of the stone, with which they returned to Paris. The British believed a method of mathematical deduction would eventually allow the text to be translated, given sufficient time. However, John Francois Champollion, a brilliant linguist familiar with 24 languages, realized both that hieroglyphs had to be phonogrammatic in nature, and also that translating the language was as important as the alphabet.  

Champollion was familiar with the Coptic language, and he correctly realised that this was the final evolution of the Egyptian language written in hieroglyphs. By applying his knowledge of Coptic, and the works of the Thomas Young, his British counterpart, Champollion successfully transliterated the first hieroglyphs and translated the first Egyptian words in 1822. His work, however, was constantly thwarted by the religious-political situation in [[France]] during the reign of [[Charles X]]. In return for part-funding mission to Egypt by the state to test his theories, he was forbidden to publish anything contravening the Biblical account of history. As such, many of his dairies, containing details of monuments and tombs pre-dating the supposed date of the “[[Great Flood]]” were only published after his death.  

Champollion was familiar with the Coptic language, and he correctly realized that this was the final evolution of the Egyptian language written in hieroglyphs. By applying his knowledge of Coptic, and the works of the Thomas Young, his British counterpart, Champollion successfully transliterated the first hieroglyphs and translated the first Egyptian words in 1822. His work, however, was constantly thwarted by the religious-political situation in [[France]] during the reign of [[Charles X]]. In return for part-funding mission to Egypt by the state to test his theories, he was forbidden to publish anything contravening the Biblical account of history. As such, many of his dairies, containing details of monuments and tombs pre-dating the supposed date of the “[[Great Flood]]” were only published after his death.  

Despite this, his mission was successful. However, in recent times his reputation has been damaged due to the looting of artefacts undertaken during the mission, including cutting of scenes from tomb walls, even Royal tombs. It should be noted that this was standard practice at the time, and Champollion was expected to return with treasures as a "return" on the "investment" the state made in his mission.  

Despite this, his mission was successful. However, in recent times his reputation has been damaged due to the looting of artefacts undertaken during the mission, including cutting of scenes from tomb walls, even Royal tombs. It should be noted that this was standard practice at the time, and Champollion was expected to return with treasures as a "return" on the "investment" the state made in his mission.