Deciphering hieroglyphs was facilitated by the coexistence of pictorial and phonetic symbols.

Evidence

A French scholar, Jean-François Champollion, then realized that not only the symbols for Ptolemy but all the hieroglyphs were both pictorial and phonetic – they recorded the sound of the Egyptian language. — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 551

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 551
• XREF: connects to: Writing transitioned from mnemonic signs to phonetic symbols. — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 264; Articulation lets distinct practices with different contradictions be thought together. — Hall, Stuart, Essential Essays, Volume 1, 200; Symbols, unlike signs, represent the familiar-unfamiliar distinction within the familiar world — Diego Gambetta, Trust - Making and Breaking Cooperative…, 1350

Broader Connections

• Articulation lets distinct practices with different contradictions be thought together. #exemplifies (0.35) — Hall, Stuart, Essential Essays, Volume 1, 200