The Hieratic Script

Hieratic script is a cursive writing system used in ancient Egypt, primarily for religious and administrative texts. It evolved from hieroglyphs around 3000 BCE and was written on materials like papyrus using reed pens. While hieroglyphs were more intricate and pictorial, hieratic simplified these symbols for quicker writing, making it practical for everyday use. Hieratic was eventually replaced by Demotic script around the 7th century BCE but remained a significant part of Egyptian literacy, reflecting the culture's art, literature, and bureaucracy. Understanding Hieratic helps scholars interpret ancient Egyptian texts and gain insights into their civilization.