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Hieroglyphs without Mystery: An Introduction to Ancient Egyptian Writing Paperback – November 1, 1992

by Karl-Theodor Zauzich (Author), Ann Macy Roth (Translator)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 25 ratings
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Marveling over the tomb treasures of Ramses II and Tutankhamen that have toured U.S. and European museums in recent years, visitors inevitably wonder what the mysterious hieroglyphs that cover their surfaces mean. Indeed, everyone who is fascinated by ancient Egypt sooner or later wishes for a Rosetta stone to unlock the secrets of hieroglyphic writing.

Hieroglyphs without Mystery provides the needed key. Written for ordinary people with no special language skills, the book quickly demonstrates that hieroglyphic writing can be read, once a few simple principles are understood. Zauzich explains the basic rules of the writing system and the grammar and then applies them to thirteen actual inscriptions taken from objects in European and Egyptian museums. By following his explanations and learning the most commonly used glyphs, readers can begin to decode hieroglyphs themselves and increase their enjoyment of both museum objects and ancient Egyptian sites.

Even for the armchair traveler, learning about hieroglyphs opens a sealed door into ancient Egyptian culture. In examining these inscriptions, readers will gain a better understanding of Egyptian art, politics, and religion, as well as language.

This book was originally published in Germany in 1980 as Hieroglyphen ohne Geheimnis.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    136 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    University of Texas Press
  4. Publication date
    November 1, 1992
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0292798040
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0292798045
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Karl-Theodor Zanzich is a professor at the Institute for Egyptology of the University of Wurzburg. Translator Ann Macy Roth holds a Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Texas Press; First Edition (November 1, 1992)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 136 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0292798040
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0292798045
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.5 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 25 ratings

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Ann Macy Roth

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
25 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Tas
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2010
Verified Purchase
Hieroglyphs without Mystery describes a subset of the the Ancient Egyptian symbols through the use of printed text symbols and images of actual stone tablets discovered in Egypt. Cultural notes are given - where necessary- so that the reader is not bogged down with the language and retains interest in the subject. Instead of pouring out lists of symbols and proposed phonetics, the book slowly dishes a few symbols at a time, so that the reader gains a gradual understanding and can begin to read longer texts.

The font itself is surprisingly large and easy to read in this small book and the photographs therein are both colour and black-and-white.
6 people found this helpful
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Just some guy
5.0 out of 5 stars Great "low impact" introduction to Egyptian Hieroglyphs
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2015
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Not that I'm an expert, but this is the clearest beginner's guide to Egyptian hieroglyphs I've seen. Worked through sytematically, you'll get a good basis to impress your travelmates to Egypt, or for that matter to any museum with Egyptian antiquities. AFTER this, you can try tackling the dry-as-a-mummy's-toes frustration generator that is the collected works of E.A.W. Budge, if you like.
3 people found this helpful
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Miege
5.0 out of 5 stars Book arrived early
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2013
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The book is like new. Very interesting. Lots to learn and study. The book dealer did a good job with the description of the condition.
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doc peterson
3.0 out of 5 stars not much substance here
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2011
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The subtitle of the book is "an introduction to ancient Egyptian writing" - which is precisely what you get here. But even as an introductory text, there is something to be desired. The first half of the book is very good in its explanation of the writing system: the phonetic system's unilaterals, bilaterals and trilateral signs are clearly presented, likewise its explanation of the ideograms (or what is lovelingly referred to as a "wysiwyg" [pronounced "whizzy-wig"]: "what-you-see-is-what-you-get." The photographs - many of which are in color - were also very helpful. What little of Egyptian grammar Zauzich covered was also excellent, although it really only scratched the surface of the structure of the language.

What I was not impressed with was the way in which the vocabulary was built, the lack of practice in transliterating and translating, and the lack of depth provided around grammar. But of course, the book claims to only be an introduction, so perhaps I am being anemmic in my praise and harsh in my criticism. For those traveling to Egypt (or to the British Museum), wishing to read some of the stelae and tombs, this will be of only marginal use. A much better text to learn (and practice) ancient middle Egyptian is Collier and Manley's  How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs: A Step-by-Step Guide to Teach Yourself, Revised Edition
6 people found this helpful
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S. Flores
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2011
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As a fan of Egyptology, this little paperback was perfect for a portable read. Love the cover too. I like to sample books before buying hardback editions. Shelf candy. lol
One person found this helpful
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Kelly Lynam
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2018
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School required
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Don
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2016
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It is really easy to understand, and quite interesting! I enjoy it a lot.
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