Writing of Ancient Egypt

The writing of Ancient Egypt was based on hieroglyphics. These complex signs very often represented simply a simplified and stylized image of an object or living being. The writing of Ancient Egypt - a testimony of distant times - already in new times was found on columns, papyrus remains, columns, statues and tombs. This happened at a time when European researchers were studying this mysterious eastern country.

The name "hieroglyphic writing" belongs to the Greeks. They invaded in 332 BC. In ancient lands under the leadership of Alexander the Great. From the Greek word "hieroglyph" means in translation "sacred carved".

According to researchers, Egyptian writing is the most beautiful on earth. The best people were not able to create. But in the 5th century AD, the hieroglyphic writing of Ancient Egypt was forgotten, and for many thousands of four hundred years hieroglyphs were a mystery, even for the locals. At the same time, not only in this country, but also anywhere in the world, no one could understand it. Decipher the writing of Ancient Egypt and tried in the 16-17 centuries. Many scientists have tried to solve this problem since that time.

With the extinction of civilization, the key to understanding the ancient hieroglyphic writing was also lost. The last ancient hieroglyphs were carved in 394 AD on about. Fillet in the temple of Isis. The most recent well-known text was the demo inscription of 452 AD.

A huge period of history (about three and a half millennia) is captured in the texts. Of course, throughout this period the language of ancient Egypt changed. Researchers share his development in five stages:

- the old Egyptian language was used during the Old Kingdom (28-23 centuries BC);

- in the period from 22 to 16 centuries. BC. The classical (mid-Egyptian) language was used;

- during the 16th -13th centuries. BC. E. - New Egyptian language;

- Egyptians used the demotic language from the 8th century. BC. E. Up to 5 century AD;

- from the 3rd c. N. E began to use the Coptic language.

After the invasion of the Arabs Coptic language from the 7th century AD is gradually being supplanted by the Arabic language.

The writing of Egypt is considered, along with the Sumerian writings, the oldest in the whole world. It should be noted that it, like the culture of this ancient country, was formed quite independently. The number of hieroglyphic signs, most commonly used, is about seven hundred. Individual elements of the letter could be inscribed in different ways. In many respects it depended on the time and partly on the ability of the scribe. This feature, in the first place, researchers refer to the hieratic (cursive) letter.

The hieroglyphics themselves are classified in appearance. Classification Gardiner (English Egyptologist) is generally accepted.

The people in ancient Egypt used three systems of writing:

- hieratic,

- hieroglyphic

- and demotic.

Hieroglyphic system, the earliest, represented by pictures and pictograms. It was used to compile religious texts.

The hieratic system is a simplified, cursive form of the hieroglyphic system. It was used to compile business and legal texts.

Another type of cursive system was a demotic letter.

To understand the writing of the Egyptian people did not succeed in scientists for 2000 years. In Rosetta, near Alexandria, in 1799 a small basalt stone was discovered. On it was inscribed the decree of Pharaoh Ptolemy Fifth. The record was made in three systems: hieroglyphic, demotic and Greek. The stone, named Rosetta, became one of the most important finds for Egyptologist scientists, since it contained the key to understanding ancient writing. To solve the mystery of hieroglyphics in 1822, the Frenchman JF Champollion succeeded.