The Rosetta Stone
by Not to be confused with the popular language learning software or the Tool song “The Rosetta Stoned”, this stone played a significant role in translating Eqyption heiroglyphics.
What is the Rosetta Stone?
During the French Occupation of Egypt, Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) led an expedition along the Nile river toward the Mediterranean Sea. Many drawings, chants and stone monuments were discovered. Among these was a Stele (a stone or wooden slab erected for funerals or commemorative purposes). The stone, made of black basalt, measures 14 feet by 10 feet and weighs 1700lbs. This particular stone found in 1779, has two different languages written on it.
Image via Wikipedia
The bottom script was recognized as being Greek, the middle Egyptian Demotic or simplified hieroglphics and the top was original Egyption hieroglyphics, or picture writing.
French scholars went to work deciphering the script on the stone. It was found to be an Egyptian decree inscribed in 196 BC, honouring Ptolemy V (2nd century BC) for favors to Egyptian priests. The real significance of the discovery was that it allowed translation of Egyptian hieroglyphics that was lost after the last Egyptian temple was closed in the 6th century A.D. The language was then replaced by the Coptic and Arabic alphabets.
The stone was named for the village of Rosetta, northeast of Alexandria, where it was discovered.
Image via Wikipedia
The Rosetta Stone has become idiomatic as something that is a critical key to a process of decryption or translation of a difficult problem. It has been held in the British Museum since 1802.
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Post Commentrutherfranc
On March 28, 2009 at 2:56 pm
cool information you got here.. a little piece of history learned.. thanks for sharing..
David Irvine
On March 29, 2009 at 10:49 am
Egypt is full of historical findings. Great read. Thanks.
Bullwinkle Muse
On March 29, 2009 at 11:07 am
Fascinating subject. I hadn’t realized the importance of its discovery.
CutestPrincess
On April 1, 2009 at 6:08 am
a very well researched article…
Rich Dansereau
On April 28, 2009 at 4:15 pm
This is a very cool post. I did one a while back on the Black Creek Stone http://neighborhoodexpertonline.com/richd/2009/02/23/mystery-in-a-burial-mound/ Obviously not the same but has the same type of interest.
K Kristie
On April 28, 2009 at 8:17 pm
I agree with rutherfranc. Great read.
Bo Russo
On April 29, 2009 at 2:55 am
Honestly I didn’t know what the Rosetta stone was,I just knew I had heard of it beforethe language thing came out.
Kate Smedley
On April 29, 2009 at 2:59 am
Fascinating article, very enjoyable read, thank you.