During the 18 th century, hieroglyphics posed a challenge to the Enlightenment but at the same time, they were cherished material for esotericism. They were seen as puzzling remnants of a now extinct form of communication, somewhere between pictorial writing, gestural language, and symbolism. Hieroglyphics figured prominently in the theory of language and writing, cultural anthropology, theology, theosophy, as well as physiognomy and art theory.

Autorentext

Annette Graczyk, Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für die Erforschung der Europäischen Aufkläung (IZEA), Halle/Saale.