Hieroglyphics

Hieroglyphics, writing system used in ancient Egypt and several other civilizations. It is based on pictures that represent objects, ideas, or sounds. Egyptian hieroglyphics were used from 3000 B.C. until about 500 B.C. They consisted of 604 symbols that could stand for words, sounds, or classifications. The French Egyptologist Jean François Champollion (1790–1832) was the first person in modern times to make real progress in deciphering hieroglyphics.