90 Miles From Tyranny : July 19, 1799: The Rosetta Stone Is Discovered

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Sunday, July 19, 2026

July 19, 1799: The Rosetta Stone Is Discovered

The Rosetta Stone provided the key to translating the “lost” language of Egyptian hieroglyphics.
 


Rosetta Stone refers to a granodiorite stele inscribed with a decree in three scripts: hieroglyphic, Demotic, and Ancient Greek, which was crucial for deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs. It was discovered in 1799 and dates back to 196 BC.

Overview of the Rosetta Stone
The Rosetta Stone is an ancient Egyptian stele made of granodiorite, inscribed with a decree in three different scripts: hieroglyphic, Demotic, and Ancient Greek. This stone was pivotal in the understanding and deciphering of Egyptian hieroglyphs.

Key Facts
Attribute Details
Material Granodiorite
Size 1,123 mm × 757 mm × 284 mm (44.2 in × 29.8 in × 11.2 in)
Weight Approximately 760 kg (1,680 lb)
Date Created 196 BC
Discovered 1799 near Rosetta, Nile Delta, Egypt
Current Location British Museum, London

Historical Significance
  • The Rosetta Stone features a decree issued during the Ptolemaic dynasty on behalf of King Ptolemy V Epiphanes.
  • It was discovered by French army officer Pierre-François Bouchard during the French campaign in Egypt.
  • The stone's inscriptions provided the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs, which had been unreadable for centuries prior to its discovery.
Decipherment
  • The stone's three versions of the same text allowed scholars to compare the scripts, leading to significant breakthroughs in understanding ancient Egyptian writing.
  • Notable figures in the decipherment include Thomas Young and Jean-François Champollion, with Champollion being the first to successfully translate the hieroglyphs in 1822.
The Rosetta Stone remains a crucial artifact in the study of ancient Egypt and the development of Egyptology.



Articles on 90 Miles with "Rosetta Stone" In Them:


More This Day In History:

June 26, 1948, the United States launched the Berlin Airlift, known as "Operation Vittles"
June 28, 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand Is Assassinated
June 30, 1908 The Tunguska explosion (or Tunguska event)
July 1, 1863: The Battle Of Gettysburg Begins
July 2, 1937 Amelia Earhart disappears
July 3, 1775: George Washington Takes Command Of The Continental Army
July 4, 1776: The Declaration Of Independence Is Adopted
July 13, 1949: Pope Pius XII excommunicates all communist Catholics
July 17, 1918: The Romanov Family Is Executed By Communists

3 comments:

Bigus Macus said...

I was blesses to be able to visit the BM in the 1970. I saw this and the Tutankhamen exhibit

MrLiberty said...

Why are the pyramids in Egypt? Because they wouldn't fit into the British Museum. And sorry, the alleged "translations" between one language and the next (the foundation of Christianity and so much), are complete BS. There are NUANCES that ONLY the original author can KNOW for sure. Everything else is a POLITICAL DECISION based on what is expedient or suits the moment...NOT necessarily the intent of the original author. While the Rosetta Stone is a fantastic tool, it undermines languages in ways no one can fully appreciate, especially when it comes to the nuances of religious teachings. But hey...if it all makes you feel good....LOL.

Drew458 said...

This is my favorite part of this blog. I learn something new everyday from it. Thanks!