Egypt launches the first interactive website for teaching hieroglyphics to enthusiasts and learners.
The Egyptian government launched yesterday, Wednesday, June 11, the website "Hieroglyphic Step by Step," as the first interactive platform specialized in teaching Ancient Egyptian language, targeting enthusiasts, university students, and those interested in Pharaonic civilization.
The website, previously announced in media reports including "Al Arabiya" and "Al Hadath," includes simplified scientific materials in both Arabic and English, covering the basics of Hieroglyphic language from writing systems to directions, along with a dictionary of over 5000 words, with ongoing development and addition of more vocabulary.
Efforts to revive Hieroglyphics date back to 2015, when the Library of Alexandria launched the first phase of the project, aiming to spread knowledge of Ancient Egyptian language using digital learning tools. The new website is an extension of these efforts, providing a simplified explanation of language symbols inspired by nature, animals, and tools, used by ancient Egyptians to express sounds, similar to modern languages like Arabic and English.
The launch of the website comes amidst global interest in Hieroglyphics, which remained mysterious until the Frenchman Jean-François Champollion deciphered them on September 27, 1822, based on the Rosetta Stone, one of the most important archaeological discoveries in history.
The stone was accidentally found on July 15, 1799, during the French campaign in Egypt, discovered by Napoleon Bonaparte's soldiers while digging near the city of Rashid. The stone dates back to 196 BC and contains text in three scripts: Hieroglyphic (for religious texts), Demotic (for common language), and Greek (for administration). The text documents a decree supporting King Ptolemy V (204–181 BC).
It is worth mentioning that the stone played a pivotal role in uncovering the secrets of Egyptian civilization, which remained elusive for a long time before its code was cracked. Today, the new website continues the mission of spreading this heritage, utilizing technology to connect the ancient past with the present.
