Picture and Hieroglyphic Texts in Predynastic and Early Dynastic Egypt

Abstract

Hieroglyphic writing arose in Egypt during the proto/early dynastic period of the formation of the early monarchical state and, along with monumental architecture, is a symptom of radical changes in the political, economic and ideological spheres of society. In the context of semiotics, culture as a sign system considers all its contents as texts that store and transmit knowledge from generation to generation. In the space of depth psychology, a set of texts reveals the level of collective consciousness of culture bearers as collective intelligence and memory. Writing in Egypt arose as an instrument of supreme power, reflecting its nature, functions and social status in the context of mythological ideas and ritual practice. The earliest sources of hieroglyphic writing derived from images were royal annual tablets dedicated to the activity of the kings. As annals, they reflected in the Palermo Stone and its associated fragments. However, the annals are inseparable from cult practice and religious and mythological ideas about the ancestors and gods who stood at the foundation of ancient Egyptian culture.