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]].]]

'''Hieroglyphics''' is a system of [[writing]] developed in [[Ancient Egypt]], that was used 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 wwere 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.  

'''Hieroglyphics''' is a system of [[writing]] developed in [[Ancient Egypt]], that was used 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.  

''Note: This article only deals with [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] Hieroglpyhs.''

''Note: This article only deals with [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] Hieroglpyhs.''

== Basic Concepts ==

== Basic Concepts ==

Contrary to popular belief, Egyptian hieroglyphs are '''not''' generally [[pictogram]]s or [[logogram]]s. Like the Latin and Greek alphabets, hieroglyphs are primarily [[phonogram]]s. 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|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.

== Development ==

== Development ==

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 at the end of the 18th century focused European scholarly and academic attention on Egypt for the first time, and over the course of the next century led to more progress being made in regards knowledge of Egyptian history than had been done in the previous 1000 years. The discovery of the [[Rosetta Stone]] was recognised immediately by Napoleon’s savants as the “key” to correct interpretation of Egyptian hieroglyphs, having the same text recorded in Greek, which was already known, and in the Egyptian language in hieroglyphs and demotic, both of which were unknown.  

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 British captured the stone when French forces were defeated, but not before the French had taken copies, 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, realised 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, Champollion successfully transliterated the first hieroglyphs and translated the first Egyptian words. 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 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.  

Despite this, his mission was sucessful. 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, however, 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.  

== Relationship with Hieratic and Demotic ==

[[Image:Demotic_Ostrakon.jpg|thumb|175px|right|Ostraca with Demotic script dating from the Ptolemaic period]]

During the 26th Dynasty, an additional cursive writing system appears, Demotic. Essentially a more cursive form of Hieratic, demotic makes extensive use of ligatures. Demotic also differs from Hieratic in that it was occasionally also deployed as a monumental script, though it does not replace hieroglyphs, and Demotic is only rarely employed monumentally. Demotic began to replaced by the Greek and Coptic writing systems in the third century AD. The last known Demotic inscription was from Philae in 452AD, just 56 years after the last known literate use of hieroglyphs.

== Sign Usage ==

== Sign Usage ==

Strokes and points are additional signs that, like determinatives, are not pronounced They serve to represent the grammar of the text.  

Strokes and points are additional signs that, like determinatives, are not pronounced They serve to represent the grammar of the text.  

[[Image:Gramsigns001.jpg|550px|center]]

* A serekh is used to enclose the Horus name of the Pharaoh.