The ancient Egyptians believed that writing was invented by the god Thoth and called their hieroglyphic script `mdju netjer` `words of the gods`. The word hieroglyph comes from the Greek hieros sacred plus glypho inscriptions and was first used by Clement of Alexandria. The earliest known examples of writing in Egypt have been dated to 3,400 BC. The latest dated inscription in hieroglyphs was made on the gate post of a temple at Philae in 396 AD. The hieroglyphic script was used mainly for formal inscriptions on the walls of temples and tombs. In some inscriptions the glyphs are very detailed and in full colour, in others they are simple outlines. For everyday writing the hieratic script was used.

圖片編號：
拍攝者： Ralukatudor