Ancient Civilisations The Rosetta Stone
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Mar 7, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Richard Bruce Parkinson, a Professor of Egyptology at the University of Oxford, unveils the fascinating story of the Rosetta Stone. He highlights its crucial role in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs, revealing insights into Ptolemy V's reign and the political context of ancient Egypt. Richard also explores the challenges scholars faced, including misconceptions during the Renaissance and the competition between Thomas Young and Jean-François Champollion. The conversation dives into debates over the stone’s return to Egypt and what its translation means for understanding ancient cultures.
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Accidental Discovery At Fort Julien
- Pierre-Francois Bouchard discovered the Rosetta Stone while repairing Fort Julien in July 1799.
- He recognized Greek, demotic-like script, and hieroglyphs and carefully had it excavated over three days.
Trilingual Decree Reveals Linguistic Bridge
- The stone contains the same decree in three scripts: hieroglyphic, demotic, and Greek.
- That trilingual format made it uniquely valuable for deciphering ancient Egyptian writing.
Priestly Decree For Ptolemy V
- Priests in Memphis issued a decree in 196 BC praising Ptolemy V and placed stelae in temples.
- Craftsmen inscribed the decree in three scripts to be displayed alongside royal statues across Egypt.
