page_title: Hieroglyph
hierarchical_section_title: Hieroglyph
caption_attribution_description: A fragment of a wall with hieroglyphics and a king, Mentuhotep II of Egypt.
context_page_description: Hieroglyphs, or hieroglyphics, are a type of writing that uses symbols or pictures to stand for sounds and words. The Egyptians, Luwians and Mayan cultures are among those who used hieroglyphs. They have also been found in Turkey, Crete, United States and Canada.
  They are thought to have started when pictures were used to tell stories on pots and other artwork. Over time, the pictures became letters.
  The word hieroglyph comes from the Greek words ἱερός and γλύφειν, and it was first used to mean Egyptian hieroglyphs. The Greeks who came to Egypt saw the picture letters, which were often found carved on house walls, tombs and monuments.
context_section_description: Hieroglyphs, or hieroglyphics, are a type of writing that uses symbols or pictures to stand for sounds and words. The Egyptians, Luwians and Mayan cultures are among those who used hieroglyphs. They have also been found in Turkey, Crete, United States and Canada.
  They are thought to have started when pictures were used to tell stories on pots and other artwork.  Over time, the pictures became letters.
  The word hieroglyph comes from the Greek words ἱερός (hierós 'sacred') and γλύφειν (glúphein 'to carve' or 'to write'), and it was first used to mean Egyptian hieroglyphs. The Greeks who came to  Egypt saw the picture letters, which were often found carved on house walls, tombs and monuments.
caption: Egyptian Hieroglyphs
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