A hieroglyphic script consists of a variety of pictures and symbols. Some symbols had independent meanings, while others were used in combinations. Some were also used phonetically or had multiple meanings. The script was written in three directions: from top to bottom, from left to right, and from right to left.

This style was used for nearly 3500 years. Knowledge of the script was lost when other scripts superseded it. The script was later decrypted by Champollion who studied the Rosetta stone for 14 years and discovered the Key.