Changes

== Basic Concepts ==

== Basic Concepts ==

Contrary to popular belief, Egyptian hieroglyphs are '''not''' generally [[pictogram|pictograms]] or [[logogram|logograms]]. Like the Latin and Greek alphabets, hieroglyphs are primarily [[phonogram|phonograms.]] Unlike these alphabets however, one sign can convey up to three consonants, whilst some words also feature an additional silent sign at the end (a ''determinative'') that helps convey the meaning of the word, and avoid confusion between words that would otherwise be spelt with exactly the same signs. This is especially important as, like in modern [[Arabic]] and [[Hebrew]] alphabets, vowels are not included in the text. Only consonants are recorded.

Contrary to popular belief, Egyptian hieroglyphs are '''not''' generally [[pictogram]]s or [[logogram]]s. Like the Latin and Greek alphabets, hieroglyphs are primarily [[phonogram|phonograms.]] Unlike these alphabets however, one sign can convey up to three consonants, whilst some words also feature an additional silent sign at the end (a ''determinative'') that helps convey the meaning of the word, and avoid confusion between words that would otherwise be spelt with exactly the same signs. This is especially important as, like in modern [[Arabic]] and [[Hebrew]] alphabets, vowels are not included in the text. Only consonants are recorded.

== Development ==

== Development ==

=== Decline, Loss and Rediscovery ===

=== Decline, Loss and Rediscovery ===

The Roman era sees the decline of the hieroglyphic system of writing. The last surviving knowledgeable and literate hieroglyphic inscription in ancient times dates from August 24th, 396 AD and was inscribed in the temple complex of Philae, five years after Theodosius I forced the closure of all non-Christian places of worship in Roman territory. The inscription, the Graffito of Esmet-Akhom is catalogued as Philae 436 ([http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkubecka/2093092240/ picture]).

The Roman era sees the decline of the hieroglyphic system of writing. The last surviving knowledgeable and literate hieroglyphic inscription in ancient times dates from August 24, 396 AD and was inscribed in the temple complex of Philae, five years after Theodosius I forced the closure of all non-Christian places of worship in Roman territory. The inscription, the Graffito of Esmet-Akhom is catalogued as Philae 436 ([http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkubecka/2093092240/ picture]).

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.

[[Category:Writing systems]]

[[Category:Writing systems]]

[[category:Ancient History]]

[[Category:Ancient History]]

[[category:Ancient Egypt]]

[[Category:Ancient Egypt]]