Decoding the Secrets of Egyptian Hieroglyphs

Overview

Decipher the language of ancient Egypt and learn what hieroglyphs can tell us about history, accompanied by acclaimed Egyptologist Bob Brier. In this course, “Decoding the Secrets of Egyptian Hieroglyphs,” you will unlock the mysteries of an ancient language with 24 engaging lectures designed to help you read and write hieroglyphs effectively.

From vocabulary and number systems to sentence structure, this course covers essential concepts while you translate hieroglyphs from significant historical sites such as Abu Simbel and the tomb of Tutankhamen.

Course Structure

• Why Egypt Needed Hieroglyphs (33 min)
  • Understand the necessity of writing systems in ancient Egypt through the Narmer Palette.

2. The Ancient Egyptian Alphabet (29 min)
   • Learn the hieroglyphic alphabet and how to transcribe names from English to ancient Egyptian.

3. How a Language Becomes Lost (31 min)
   • Examine the decline of hieroglyphs through historical changes.

• Napoleon in Egypt (32 min)
  • Explore the rediscovery of hieroglyphs during Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt.

• Early Attempts to Decipher the Rosetta Stone (32 min)
  • Discover the pitfalls and initial efforts in deciphering hieroglyphs.

• William Bankes and the Keys to Decipherment (31 min)
  • Learn about discoveries that shaped our understanding of hieroglyphs.

7. Jean-François Champollion Cracks the Code (31 min)
   • Meet Champollion, the pioneer of decoding hieroglyphs, and understand biliterals.

8. Suffix Pronouns and the Hieroglyphs of Ptah (32 min)
   • Delve into suffix pronouns and the role of Ptah in Egyptian culture.

• The Immortal Scribe (31 min)
  • Study everyday life for scribes and the significance of the scarab beetle hieroglyph.

• Hieroglyphs and the Bible (31 min)
  • Explore how knowledge of hieroglyphs aids biblical interpretations.

• Dependent Pronouns and the Passive Voice (31 min)
  • Learn about dependent pronouns and ancient writing methods.

12. Past Tense and Adjectives (28 min)
    • Discover how to express the past tense in hieroglyphs and learn new adjectives.

• New Ideograms Related to the Gods (31 min)
  • Examine hieroglyphic representations of various Egyptian deities.

14. Names of the Pharaohs (32 min)
    • Understand the five royal titles of Egyptian pharaohs.

15. Ancient Egyptian Numbers (31 min)
    • Learn the system of writing numbers in ancient Egypt.

16. The Egyptian Calendar (29 min)
    • Explore the significance of the calendar in ancient Egyptian society.

• Names of the Gods (31 min)
  • Study the hieroglyphic names of gods and their significance in texts.

18. Negation in Ancient Egyptian Sentences (33 min)
    • Learn to express negation using unique hieroglyphs.

• Reading Hieroglyphic Jewelry (31 min)
  • Decipher hieroglyphic inscriptions found on ancient jewelry.

20. Palimpsests: When Scribes Make Mistakes (32 min)
    • Investigate how errors in hieroglyphs are identified and corrected.

• An Ancient Egyptian Prayer for the Dead (33 min)
  • Explore significant hieroglyphic prayers inscribed in temples and tombs.

• Translating the Tomb of Perneb (32 min)
  • Analyze the hieroglyphs found in the Tomb of Perneb.

23. Translating Tutankhamen’s Tomb (31 min)
    • Learn about King Tut’s burial artifacts and their inscriptions.

• King Tut’s Magic Mirror and Sarcophagus (34 min)
  • Decode inscriptions on significant Egyptian artifacts and discuss further study resources.