Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 1999. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this thesis an exploration is made into whether or not hieroglyphs reflect ideas of
the ancient Egyptians themselves. By examining "living creature" hieroglyphs one
may contemplate why the ancient Egyptian chose a particular manner of depiction.
The manner of depiction can then be examined insofar as what ideas they may
reflect. In this way study into other groups of signs such as those of the
environment may be used to further illuminate the lives and our understanding of
the ancient Egyptian(s).
This thesis begins with an examination of both the problem inherent in such
a task and an overview of some of the "processes" involved. By understanding that a
reconstructed reality, that of the hieroglyph, reflects both real and perceived
characteristics represented in glyphic form, one may seek out the mental
impressions considered relevant to the people themselves.
Next the role literacy played and still plays is discussed. This discussion
includes a brief historical overview of both the history of decipherment and the
"language" of the ancient Egyptians. The importance of "writing", artistic in nature
in Egypt in regards to hieroglyphs, is then discussed as it relates to its use as symbol.
Hieroglyphs are then discussed in their role as art, communication, and language
emphasizing the multitudinous role(s) which they served. The importance is thus
reiterated that hieroglyphs served as a communication of ideas to both the literate
and the "illiterate" in at least a menial manner.
After providing a "background" context of both the world and time of
hieroglyphs and their subsequent "understanding" and interpretation, there is an
analysis of the hieroglyphs for living creatures including the following Gardiner
groupings: (1) mammals, (2) birds, (3) amphibians and reptiles, (4) fish, (5)
invertebrates and lesser animals. The signs are examined in regards to their
function and variations followed by some observations and comments related to the
"structure" and perspective of the sign itself. Summary observations and comments
are then made about each group.
The thesis is then brought full circle by examining the implications of what
hieroglyphs can tell us about the ancient Egyptians, via the perceptive and
communicative role which they played. By understanding hieroglyphs as
"fingerprints" of/from the mind of the people and subsequently their culture, this
framework may provide a new mechanism into understanding the Egyptian via
their own visualization and perceptive nature. A case is then proposed that this new
"mechanism", if it is indeed considered feasible, can be applied to not only the physical world consisting of nature such as the environment, but also to groups
which depict manmade objects. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie tesis is die moontlikheid ondersoek dat hierogliewe iets van die
ideewereld van die antieke Egiptenare reflekteer. In die bestudering van "lewende
wese" hierogliewe kom vrae op soos waarom die antieke Egiptenare juis 'n spesifieke
vorm van voorsteIIing verkies het. Die vorm van voorsteIIing kan dan bestudeer
word vir die idees wat dit moontlik mag reflekteer. Ander groepe/velde van tekens,
soos die van die breër omgewing, kan gebruik word om verdere lig te werp op die
lewe van die antieke Egiptenaar(e) en ons verstaan daarvan.
Die tesis begin met 'n bestudering van die inherente probleme in die aanpak
van so 'n taak en 'n oorsig oor sommige van die "prosesse" daarby betrokke. By die
verstaan van die hieroglief as 'n gekonstrueerde realiteit, wat weklike sowel as
afgeleide eienskappe reflekteer, ontdek die ondersoeker daarvan iets van die
persoonlike/kulturele indrukke wat deur hierdie groep mense as relevant ervaar is.
In die volgende afdeling kom die rol van geletterdheid aan die beurt. Hierdie
bespreking sluit 'n bondige historiese oorsig oor die geskiedenis van ontsyfering
asook die taal van die Egiptenare in. Die belang van die "skryfkuns" en veral die
kunsaard daarvan in die Egiptiese hierogliewe word vervolgens bespreek. Dit is
veraI waar soos dit in verhouding staan met die gebruik daarvan as simbool. Die
veelsydige rol(le) en belang van hierogliewe in die kuns, kommunikasie en taal
word dan ondersoek en bespreek. Die klem word daarop gelê dat hierogliewe as die
kommunikasie van idees aan beide die geletterde en "ongeletterde" dien.
Nadat 'n agtergrondkonteks van die wereld en tyd van die hierogliewe en die
daaruitvloeiende "verstaan" en interpretasie daarvan gegee is, word 'n analise van
die "lewende wese" hierogliewe gedoen. Dit sluit die volgende groeperinge van
Gardiner in: (1) soogdiere, (2) voels, (3) amfibiee en reptiele, (4) visse, (5)
invertebrata en kleiner diere. Hierdie hierogliewe word ondersoek in terme van
hulle funksie en variasies, gevolg deur waarnemings en opmerkings aangaande die
"struktuur" en die perspektief van die teken. Opsommende observasies en enkele
opmerkings oor elke groep volg daarna.
Die tesis word afgerond met 'n ondersoek na die implikasies van wat ons kan
wys word uit die hierogliewe aangaande die antieke Egiptenare, via die
perspektiwiese en kommunikatiewe rol wat dit vervuI. Deur hierogliewe te verstaan
as die "vingerafdrukke" van die begrip van hierdie mense kan hierdie raamwerk 'n
nuwe meganisme in die verstaan van die Egiptenaar via die visualisasie en
waarneembare aard daarvan, vorm. 'n Voorstel word gemaak dat hierdie nuwe
"meganisme", indien dit uitvoerbaar is, toegepas kan word, nie net op die hierogliewe van die fisiese wereld bestaande uit die natuur en die omgewing nie,
maar ook op hierogliewe wat mensgemaakte voorwerpe voorstel.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/51538 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Ray, Corey Carpenter |
| Contributors | Cornelius, I., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies . |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 187 p. : ill. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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