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The use of hieroglyphics is a very ancient way to visually record language. We are introduced to our modern alphabet at a very early age, and for us it seems odd that alphabets were not always the method of visually encoding language. Alphabets seem downright simplistic, but they are in fact very sophisticated systems. Imagine a time before any form of writing. Even the concept of visually encoding language might seem odd, useless or impossible. It must have been an amazing insight on the part of one or many people across cultures that there was a need to record words, and that a way to do it could be developed. I bet that a collection of dozens of abstract squiggles, meaningless on their own, (letters) would not have been the first thought on anyone's mind. Representations of real objects, and then perhaps representations of religious/cultural symbols would have been a more likely starting point. The history of the alphabet is quite interesting and thought-provoking. If you check this history, be sure to find out what linguists have to say about it, too. See links for more information.
This sounds like a good time to think about what it means to make assumptions. Assumptions are not always bad if you are aware that you are making them. The ancient Egyptians certainly used words. We know a lot about the language of that time. The hieroglyphic writing that you are talking about was a very ancient form of writing, even for most of the ancient Egyptians! They had a form of common writing which is nothing like hieroglyphics and similar in some ways to our English longhand writing. For most of Egypt'sancient history hieroglyphic writing was used primarily for religious texts and rituals and it was known only to the priests and some scribes. In later periods it was probably as strange even to the priests as it is to most of us.
The writing makes use of many pictographs. Some of them actually represent the object pictured, but not all of them. Some of them represent certain sounds in much the same way that letters represent sounds in standard English. The sounds though are often too complex for one of our letters to represent. It would be easy to assume that what we call words can only be formed in the way that we do it, but hieroglyphics is proof that there are other ways. You can have a little fun twisting your brain for a few minutes by making believe that a smart and friendly space alien visits you and asks: "Why do you use groups of letters instead of words?" See what I mean?
Because writing with letters representing all the sounds of a language had not yet been invented.
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What civilization was first to use the plow?
The ancient Egyptians of course. The found pictures on the wall that showed that they had been using the plow.
What kind of hunting weapons did the ancient Egyptians use?
The ancient Egyptians instead of fighting the enemy the would kill themselves.
Why did the ancient egyptians use stone instead of wood?
the egyptians used stone instead of wood maybe because they had no wood supply in the middle of egypt and stone was stronger and sturdier. if the egyptians were attacked or the tombs robbed the limestone would provide better protection. they used limestone because it kept cooler in the scorching heat and was easy to sculpt and break, however it was very heavy for the egyptian slaves to carry for miles and miles to the sites of the tombs.
How did ancient egyptians use wind energy?
Egyptians were some of the first people to use sails to capture the wind's energy.
Did ancient egyptians use screwdrivers?
no
Did the Aztecs use pictures instead of words?
Yes! They did. It was their way of writing, just with pictures. A little like glyphs, only there was not a picture per word, so different writing to the Egyptians.
What did egyptians use as their writing?
Pictures.
What is the term for the Egyptian form of writing in which pictures were use for words or sounds?
Ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphs to write on papyrus or carve into stone.
What symbol did the Egyptians use instead of ''x''?
Egyptians used hieroglyphics, in which each symbol has a specific meaning.
How is it easy to read a pictograph?
Pictographs use pictures with a key to help you read it easily instead of reading a bunch of words and numbers.
What did egyptians use to make pictures?
Because your fat!
Why did the Egyptians use symbols instead of letters?
because they wanted too
Why did the Egyptians use a water clock instead of a sundial?
becuase its cooler
Symbol use in picture writing?
Picture writing is writing that is done using pictures instead of words. The symbols are varied and are called hieroglyphics.
What for of writing did the egyptians use?
Hieroglyphics. Picture words basically!
What did the Egyptians use for writing?
Hieroglyphics. Picture words basically!
Why don't the egyptians use paper instead of papyrus?
Papyrus was used to make paper.
