Answer: Egypt
Some extra relevant information:
Hieroglyphs were an integral part of ancient Egypt’s formal written system. The word “hieroglyph” originates from the Greek words “hieros,” meaning sacred, and “gluphē,” meaning carving or engraving. These sacred carvings were used as a script by the ancient Egyptians for over three thousand years, from around 3200 BCE to the 4th century CE.
Hieroglyphs were a complex system of writing that employed both logographic and phonetic elements. Logograms were symbols that represented entire words or concepts, while phonograms represented individual sounds or syllables. The combination of these symbols allowed scribes to convey a wide range of meanings and ideas.
The ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphs for various purposes. They carved them on the walls of temples and tombs, painted them on papyrus scrolls, and even inscribed them on everyday objects like pottery and jewelry. Hieroglyphs were primarily used by the elite class, such as priests, scribes, and royal officials, who were responsible for recording religious texts, legal documents, historical accounts, and administrative records.
Reading and understanding hieroglyphs required specialized training and knowledge. Scribes underwent years of education and apprenticeship to master this intricate system of writing. The decipherment of hieroglyphs proved to be a significant challenge for modern scholars until the discovery of the Rosetta Stone in 1799.
The Rosetta Stone, a rock stele discovered in Egypt, contained an inscription in three different scripts: Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, Demotic script, and Ancient Greek. This provided the key to deciphering the hieroglyphs. French scholar Jean-François Champollion successfully deciphered the script in 1822, opening up a window into ancient Egyptian civilization.
The study of hieroglyphs has provided valuable insights into various aspects of ancient Egyptian culture, including their religious beliefs, mythology, history, and daily life. Today, hieroglyphs continue to captivate the imagination of people around the world, serving as a symbol of the ancient and mysterious civilization of Egypt.