Hieroglyphs Without Mystery: An Introduction to Ancient Egyptian Writing

by Karl-Theodor Zauzich, Ann MacY Roth (Translator)

Marveling over the tomb treasures of Ramses II and Tutankhamen that have toured U.S. and European museums in recent years, visitors inevitably wonder what the mysterious hieroglyphs that cover their surfaces mean. Indeed, everyone who is fascinated by ancient Egypt sooner or later wishes for a Rosetta stone to unlock the secrets of hieroglyphic writing.
Now available for the first time in English translation, Hieroglyphs without Mystery provides the needed key. Written for ordinary people with no special language skills, the book quickly demonstrates that hieroglyphic writing can be read, once a few simple principles are understood. Zauzich explains the basic rules of the writing system and the grammar and then applies them to thirteen actual inscriptions taken from objects in European and Egyptian museums. By following his explanations and learning the most commonly used glyphs, readers can begin to decode hieroglyphs themselves and increase their enjoyment of both museum objects and ancient Egyptian sites.
Even for the armchair traveler, learning about hieroglyphs opens a sealed door into ancient Egyptian culture. In examining these inscriptions, readers will gain a better understanding of Egyptian art, politics, and religion, as well as language. Thus hieroglyphs can serve to penetrate the mysteries, not only of what the ancient Egyptians said, but also of how they thought and how they viewed their world.

Genres: Language, History, Nonfiction, Reference, Historical, Egypt, Linguistics

121 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Tamra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is like a primer on hieroglyphs. It teaches the alphabetic signs, then the most common other signs and basic grammar. It's not meant to teach ALL the hieroglyphs, just the ones that will be most useful to the Joe Blow's of the world who want to know a little more.

If you don't actually want to learn hieroglyphs, don't bother reading this book. It's meant to be like an entry-level text book.

... I'm returning this to the library and purchasing it instead. If I'm ever to learn hieroglyphs, this will be the book to teach me. It has all the basics and none of the stuff you don't need. Perfect.

[Gareth Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good introduction to hieroglyphics that purports to teach the basics. I suspect it would reward many hours of application but I lack the patience or necessary memory capacity! Nevertheless, I learned a lot about the different functions of the symbols and a good deal about the astonishing culture which produced them. The book is also beautifully illustrated and uses real examples to bring the lessons to life.

[André · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book for children. Very simplified everything, and much is left out. The grammar is like a joke. But the photos of the sarcophagoes are quite nice.