How Do You Translate Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics?
Thousands of years before Christ, ancient Egyptians developed a complex system of written communication. We are fortunate to have access to hieroglyphics as well as other ancient Egyptian symbols. The word, “hieroglyph” literally means “holy writing.” Drawn with artistic and precise skill, hieroglyphics are testaments to the wonders of ancient Egyptian civilization. Hieroglyphs depict objects, actions, sound or ideas. Translating these complex symbols is more difficult than writing them. Find hieroglyphics texts to translate. There are many Internet resources that provide texts and help translating hieroglyphics. For example, Ancient Egypt (see Additional Resources) offers translation challenges that guide you through the intricacies in an understandable way. Omniglot (also in Additional Resources) is another site that provides English texts, such as lines from Article 1 of the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” and translates into hieroglyphics. Determine in what direction you mu
