Hieroglyphics are Egyptian symbols that represent objects, sounds and ideas. In fact, there are over 700 known hieroglyphic characters used by the Egyptians. These symbols were also used for things like decoration, stories and statements. The following report will introduce you to the mysteries and translations of this ancient method of communication.

Hieroglyphics were first invented around 4000 B.C. and were commonly used for hundreds of years. Modern Egyptians, though, use Arabic characters when they write, instead of hieroglyphics.

Most hieroglyphics that have been found were carved on monuments and stone temples, although some were written on an early form of paper. This paper was made from papyrus reeds that grew along the banks of the Nile River. Unlike English, hieroglyphs were written in a number of directions. You would read in the direction that the animals in the symbols were facing.

Egyptian hieroglyphics differ quite a bit from written English, but still, there are similarities. Hieroglyphics have a cursive form, and an alphabet. However, they have symbols and pictures in the writing, while we have rather simplistically designed letters. The pictographically set-up writing system in hieroglyphics is very similar to those in some Asian cultures, such as Japanese, Chinese and Korean.

The Egyptians also had a numbering system. In fact, some of the great mathematicians of the world were ancient Egyptians, for their time. Hieroglyphics have pictures that represent different numbers. The sign of an arch represents 10, the symbol of a flower represents 1,000, and the sign of a finger represents 10,000. Doesn't it seem wild to do math with pictures and drawings?

Many historically important messages were written in hieroglyphics. The many scrolls that belonged to scribes and pharaohs were always written in the finest form of hieroglyphics. Pharaohs' tombs contained wall-to-wall murals with this form of communication.

The Rosetta Stone was a highly important tool in helping modern-day historians understand hieroglyphics. The stone contained a story written in two languages that scientists already knew, Greek and Aramaic. The same story was also written in hieroglyphic symbols. This gave researchers a tremendous start decoding the symbols.

Before the Rosetta Stone was found in the 1790s, I guess they just stared in puzzled amazement at Egyptian hieroglyphics!

If you want to see this important slab of rock, you will find it in the British Museum, along with many other Egyptian artifacts.

Egyptian hieroglyphics were as important to the ancient Egyptians as English, Cyrillic, Arabic and other alphabets used today are to those of us in the modern world. These symbols are unique, and yet share many things in common with other written languages.

-penny305