Language is humankind’s central form of expression, and writing the most important cultural technique for communication and the transfer of knowledge. A common language creates identity and promotes a sense of belonging, while writing spreads thoughts and preserves cultural memory.
The exhibition on multilingual Egypt uses numerous papyri to show the different languages that were spoken and written in the land on the Nile from around 1500 BC to 1000 AD, as well as their influence on administration, culture, and society, such as the communication between rulers and ruled or the role of priests and cults in maintaining religious identity.
The use of the image material provided in the context of reporting on the Austrian National Library is free of charge. Copyright, unless otherwise stated: Austrian National Library.
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