Multimodale graphische Kommunikation im pharaonischen Ägypten: Entwurf einer Analysemethode

Abstract

“Multimodal graphic communication in Ancient Egypt: A method for analysis”: This article presents a method to analyse Hieroglyphic-Egyptian artefacts based on the semiotic approach of multimodality. In a first step, the theoretical background of multimodality research is given and its methodological application to Hieroglyphic-Egyptian text-image-compositions is discussed. In a second step, the method is illustrated analysing a relief from an Old Kingdom mastaba in Giza – the will of Wep-em-nefert (G8882). In a third step, some graphic techniques for information structuring are compared to similar techniques that can be found in Franco-Belgian comics. In indenting semiotic methods of multimodality research with Egyptology, this article presents a new perspective for the investigation of Hieroglyphic-Egyptian artefacts, which opens new grounds for both research areas and for interdisciplinary dialog.