Have you ever wondered at the beautiful and mysterious hieroglyphic writing on Egyptian statues, mummy-cases, papyri and stelae? This beautifully-illustrated book will help you to read and recognize over 35 ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic signs and inscriptions. In these pages you will find an "alphabet" of signs and a selection of the most frequently-used words and phrases, including royal names and epithets, the names of gods and goddesses, official titles, and prayers and offerings to the dead. Each hieroglyphic word or phrase is accurately illustrated in glowing colour. On the facing page is an English translation and a description and photograph of the object from which the hieroglyphs come.