How are ancient Egyptian language and images connected?

The ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic system emerged as a part of a long tradition of image use (graphic communication) in the Nile Valley. The images most often found on objects like pottery, cosmetique palettes, combs, knives etc were a functional part of these objects that themselves were pragmatic constituents of tombs and chapels. They fulfilled ritual purposes of communication between the divine and society and were only meaningful in their contexts.

This practical approach to images and decorated objects formed the background to the earliest writing and it is the most significant way in which it differs from the modern understanding of 'art'. Early writing by no means had a central role in society as it has today but it was just another element of expressing meaning in a graphic form. Its close relation to images was not only underlined by the fact that its signs show objects of the world but also that it appears in a complementary function to other images.

The presentation will show the relations between the hieroglyphic system and images and their pragmatic understanding in ancient Egyptian society.