Lecture Notes: What are Hieroglyphics?

Introduction to Hieroglyphics

• Definition: Egyptian hieroglyphics is one of the earliest writing systems in the world.
• Historical Context:
  • Dates back to the 4th millennium in the Early Bronze Age.
  • Predates the era of the Pharaohs by several centuries.
  • Key role in human civilization, transitioning from prehistoric to written history.
  • Usage lasted until the 5th century, ended by Emperor Theodosius I banning pagan temples.
  • Deciphered accurately by Jean-Francois Champollion in 1822 with the Rosetta Stone.
• Types of Glyphs: Determinatives, phonetics, and logographs.
• Recognition: 1070 characters recognized under the Unicode Standard since 2009.

Beginnings

• Naqada III Era:
  • Originated hieroglyphics as a form of written communication.
  • Oldest versions dated back to this era (33rd - 31st centuries BCE).
  • Also saw Egypt's first royal cemeteries and possibly the first irrigation system.
• Proto-hieroglyphics: Examples date back to the 41st century BCE during the Gerzean era.
• Influence of Mesopotamia:
  • Sumerian script possibly inspired hieroglyphics.
  • Egypt's proximity to Mesopotamia suggests trade and influence.
• Second Dynasty: Widespread use of hieroglyphics.

Evolution

• Usage Over Time:
  • Continued use through the Old and New Kingdoms.
  • Estimated 800 hieroglyphics in use during this period.
• Other Glyph Systems:
  • Hieratic and demotic glyphs emerged for simpler writing.
  • Shift to writing on papyrus.
• Greco-Roman Era: Usage persisted, hieroglyphics increased to 5,000.

Decline

• Role of Greeks and Romans:
  • Believed hieroglyphics held religious and mystical knowledge.
• End of Use: Ended with Roman Emperor Theodosius I's reign in 391, closing all non-Christian worship places.

Historic Decoding Attempts

• Last Authentic Writing: 394, Graffito of Esmet-Akhom.
• Early Decoding Attempts:
  • 5th-century book "Hieroglyphica" by Horapollo interpreted about 200 symbols.
  • 9th and 10th-century attempts by Arab scholars.
  • 17th-century European linguists and historians, e.g., Athanasius Kircher.
• Major Breakthrough: In 1799, discovery of Rosetta Stone.

The Rosetta Stone

• Description: Granodiorite rock inscribed with a royal decree in hieroglyphics, demotic, and Greek.
• Historical Context: Memphis decree from 196 BCE under King Ptolemy V.
• Discovery: Found in Rosetta by French troops, believed originally from a temple near Sais.
• Significance:
  • Instrumental in deciphering hieroglyphics and understanding ancient Egyptian culture.

Related Writing Systems

• Influence on Modern Alphabets: Regarded as the ancestor of modern alphabets.
• Development: Inspired Demotic writing and Cursive hieroglyphs during the Pharaonic period.

Study Tips: Focus on understanding the timeline of hieroglyphics' development, its influences, and its decline. Pay attention to the role of the Rosetta Stone in decoding hieroglyphics.