The Roman Egyptian mummies did not have hieroglyphs (picture writing) on the cartonnage or wrappings, as did mummies in the earlier Egyptian periods. However, much of what we know about the Ancient Egyptians comes from the hieroglyphs on the walls of their tombs and in their art.

The tomb writing tells about the individual who died, their accomplishments, where and how they lived.The writing is an attempt to justify their lives and win a place in the after life. It is interesting to note that the writing has lasted thousands of years and their stories have granted them immortality, if not everlasting life.

Hieroglyphs are found on the Ancient Egyptian art, sculpture and architecture. This picture writing was a mystery for hundreds of years until the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, which helped unlock the language mystery.

Rosetta Stone

More is known about life in Ancient Egypt than other ancient civilizations. This knowledge comes from the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, a basalt rock inscribed with a message written in three languages: Egyptian Hieroglyphic, Egyptian Demotic and Greek.

Napoleonic soldiers found the Rosetta Stone in 1799 and because Egyptologists were familiar with Greek were able to decipher the message and decode the Egyptian Hieroglyphs.

When the British defeated the French, they claimed the Rosetta Stone and sent it to the British Museum. It remains a part of the British Museum collection.

Reading Hieroglyphs The first steps to the study of the language.

Hieroglyphs Further study of the Egyptian Hieroglyphs.

Ahmes Papyrus

The Ahmes or Rhind Papyrus, was deciphered once Egyptologist unlocked the Egyptian Hieroglyphs, using the Rosetta Stone.

It is one of the earliest written mathematical documents that has been found. It was recorded around 1650 B.C., although the information contained in the document dates back to the construction of the pyramids around 3,000 B.C.

The Ahmes Papyrus contains a set of 84 mathematical problems and their solutions. Although no hint is given how these solutions were arrived at, it gives us an insight into the mathematical knowledge of the early Egyptians.

Egyptian Mathematics Learn more about the Ahmes Papyrus and Egyptian Mathematics.

Your name in Hieroglyphs

How would your name be written in Egyptian Hieroglyphs? Visit this page, type your name and see it written in hieroglyphic letters.