Definition: We call the sacred picture writing of the ancient Egyptians hieroglyphs since hieroglyph is the ancient Greek word for the holy (hieros) + carvings (from Greek glyphe) of the Egyptians.
The Maya of Mesoamerica also wrote using hieroglyphs. Typically, hieroglyphs are inscribed (carved) pictures, but hieroglyphs were also written on papyrus, by the Egyptians, and bark, by the Maya.
Egyptians also wrote in a cursive Egyptian script known as demotic. Hieroglyphic writing was deciphered by means of the Rosetta Stone on which the same information was repeated in Greek, hieroglyphs, and demotic writing.
Hieroglyphic is really the adjectival form of the word hieroglyph.
Also Known As: hieroglyphic
Common Misspellings: hireoglyph
