History 4.04

What was the writing script of ancient Egypt called?

• cuneiform

• hieroglyphics

• papyrus

• pictures

What did scholars study to help them decipher hieroglyphics?

• Behistun Rock

• Cuneiform

• Sumerian alphabet

• Rosetta Stone

How were scholars able to translate hieroglyphic symbols?

• Scholars compared hieroglyphics to cuneiform and found enough similarities to create an alphabet of the Egyptian writing system.

• Archaeologists unearthed a set of papyrus scrolls that had served as a dictionary in ancient Egypt.

• By comparing a message written in both hieroglyphics and Greek, scholars were able to translate the hieroglyphic symbols.

• Because early hieroglyphics were picture writing, scholars could decipher their meaning and then match them to more modern Egyptian writing.

How did the Egyptians use hieroglyphics?

Select all correct answers.

• They filled papyrus scrolls with information about history, astronomy, and other topics.

• Scribes used hieroglyphics to keep official records for the pharaoh.

• They used them for sacred writings only.

• They carved hieroglyphics in stone to record the exploits of pharaohs.

• Average people used them to keep family records.