Graff Gwenola auteur aut IRD text bookSection eng text/pdf reformatted digital access Roots of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic writing system can be found during the 4th millennium, in the iconography. Iconography seems to contribute to the invention of writing at the end of the Naqadan culture. Different types of iconographic supports are included in this contribution: Decorated Ware, 'powerfacts' (like palettes, maceheads,combs, knife handles), potmarks and ink inscriptions. In the Egyptian context, images maintain a close relationship with writing signs and the boundaries between both are tenuous. In their monumental form, called 'medou netcher' in Egyptian tongue, that is to say 'divine words', the hieroglyphs never lose their iconographic character and their iconicity. In this particular context, this article would explore how and how far the iconography of the 4th millennium contributes and prepares the emergence of writing. And why they are not themselves writing specialized EGYPTE 112ARCHEO Jasink A.M. ed. edt IRD Weingarten J. ed. edt IRD Ferrara S. ed. edt IRD 9 221-232 Florence Firenze University Press 2017 9 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010087813 978-88-6453-636-1 [F B010087813] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010087813 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/2023-08/010087813.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2023-04-04 2023-08-09 fdi:010087813 fre