What are Egyptian hieroglyphs, and how do you read them?

What are Egyptian hieroglyphs, and how do you read them?

Table of Contents 

• Introduction 

• What are the 3 types of Egyptian hieroglyphs?

• How old are Egyptian hieroglyphs? 

• Who studied Egyptian hieroglyphs?

• How many Egyptian hieroglyphs are there? 

• How did Egyptian hieroglyphs evolve over time?

• How to read Egyptian hieroglyphs? 

• Where do tourists in Egypt see the hieroglyphs? 

• Conclusion 

 

Introduction 

The Egyptian hieroglyphs are an ancient picture-based writing system that was used by the Egyptians to document their thoughts. While exploring the architecture in Egypt, you will see the hieroglyphs on the walls and pylons conveying the history of Egypt. In this blog you will be learning about the hieroglyphs in detail: how old they are, how to read them, and who translated them into modern language. Read till the end to understand the importance of hieroglyphics in ancient times. 

 

What are the 3 types of Egyptian hieroglyphs?

The word “hieroglyph” originated from the Greek language, which means “sacred carvings.” Hieroglyphs are known as the language of ancient Egyptians that evolved during their civilization’s period. It combines art and language, representing sounds, objects, and ideas. Unlike modern alphabets, they are a mix of visual symbols and phonetic elements. Like an object depicts a deity or an action. They were used to communicate and were one of the major means of conveying the messages. 

 

3 Types of Egyptian hieroglyphs 

1. Phonograms 

These are the sound symbols; they represent sounds like letters. For example, a symbol might represent the sound “m.” 

2. Logograms

These are the word symbols that represent entire words or concepts, like, for example, a sun symbol meaning “sun.” 

3. Determinatives

These are clues, like silent symbols placed at the end of words, which help in clarifying the  meaning, for example, indicating a person, place, or action through a particular picture. 

 

How old are Egyptian hieroglyphs? 

The Egyptian hieroglyphs are around 3,000 years old and evolved during the Egyptian civilization. The earliest ones that were found are from 2600 BCE, which were carved during the early dynastic period in Egypt. Gradually, by the 4th century BC, they had disappeared. Their long lifespan makes them one of the most enduring writing systems in human history from an ancient civilization. 

 

Who studied Egyptian hieroglyphs?

For centuries the hieroglyphs have remained a secret until 1799, when the Rosetta Stone was found, which helps in the translation of the language. Then in 1822, Jean-François Champollion decoded complex hieroglyphs with Greek text with the help of the Rosetta Stone. The discovery has led to the translation of Egyptian carvings passengers see during their luxury Nile Dahabiya cruise journey while exploring historical monuments like Karnak Temple. 

 

How many Egyptian hieroglyphs are there? 

There are over 700 basic Egyptian hieroglyphic signs, though some extended lists include over 1,000 symbols used across different periods. Unlike the modern-day alphabets with fixed letters, hieroglyphs are a flexible system combining multiple symbol types, which makes them a complex ancient language.  

 

How did Egyptian hieroglyphs evolve over time?

The Egyptian language: Over time, hieroglyphs became more practical and simplified than those in the early dynastic period. There are two kinds of scripts: one is the hieratic script, which is a cursive form used for religious texts, and another is the demotic script, which is a more simplified version for daily use. This evolution made writing faster and more efficient while preserving the original system for formal inscriptions. 

 

How to read Egyptian hieroglyphs? 

For travelers to Egypt, reading the hieroglyphs may not be an easy task, as it is an ancient cultural language. Well, you can take the help of guides to know the tricks that were used to understand the ancient hieroglyphs. 

One trick is here: the hieroglyphs are arranged in blocks, not like straight lines in the English language. You need to read a block as a unit moving in the correct direction. To know the direction of the sentence, look at the face of the human or animal and see in which direction it was at the start of the line. 

On the guided tours on the Nile River Dahabiya Cruise journeys, you will get assistance from the experienced Egyptologists; they will help you understand the ancient language easily and will narrate the stories for you. 

 

Where do tourists in Egypt see the hieroglyphs? 

On almost every tomb or temple, hieroglyphs are present. Most travelers see the variety of hieroglyphs during their Dahabiya Nile cruise. As it sails between Aswan and Luxor, where most of the ancient temples are situated on the riverbanks. 

At the Karnak temple the explorer will see the hieroglyphs that were used in the New Kingdom in ancient Egypt. This particular period is seen as a peak for the evolution of language and art in the Egyptian civilization. 

Then at the Kom Ombo temple, the tourists see the Ptolemaic period hieroglyphs that depict the evolution of cultures and civilization that happened at different timelines in ancient Egypt. There it depicts the Greek-Roman and Egyptian cultures that reflect the shift in rule and Greek dominance.  

 

Conclusion 

Egyptian hieroglyphs are not just simple symbols; they hold a deeper meaning and are considered a sophisticated writing system that combines art, music, sound, and meaning. At first they may appear complex to you, but as you explore on your best Dahabiya Nile cruise journey with a tour guide, you will understand how pictures and phonetic elements have carved the timeless history of the pharaohs on the walls of the temples.