Hieroglyphs
Definition
Hieroglyphs are a system of writing used by ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, where symbols or pictures represent words or sounds. They were often carved into stone or written on papyrus.
Analogy
Think of hieroglyphs like emojis. Just as emojis convey meaning through images, hieroglyphs used symbols to communicate ideas and words.
Related terms
Rosetta Stone: The Rosetta Stone is an ancient artifact that helped scholars decipher Egyptian hieroglyphs. It contains the same text in three different scripts - Greek, demotic script, and hieroglyphs.
Scribes: Scribes were highly skilled individuals who were trained to read and write hieroglyphic texts. They played a crucial role in recording important information and maintaining historical records.
Cartouche: A cartouche is an oval shape with a horizontal line at one end that encloses the name of a pharaoh or royal person in hieroglyphics. It was considered a symbol of power and authority in ancient Egypt.
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