Relief of a Ptolemaic or Roman period pharaoh from the temple of Isis at Philae.

The last known hieroglyphic inscription in Egypt dates from 394 C.E. and is seen here in this image from Philae Temple. Vertical lines border and divide the two columns of hieroglyphs which relate a royal decree. The hieroglyphs are crude in execution but are clear enough to read. On the left is a badly damaged figure of a king wearing an elaborate crown.