How We Decoded The Hieroglyphs Of Ancient Egypt

History Hit2 minutes read

Egyptian antiquities were shipped covered in indecipherable hieroglyphic inscriptions; the Rosetta Stone with hieroglyphs, demotic, and ancient Greek inscriptions led Young and Champollion to race to decipher hieroglyphs phonetically, with Champollion eventually decoding Cleopatra's and Ramesses' names, marking a turning point in Egyptology.

Insights

  • The Rosetta Stone, discovered by Napoleon's men in 1799, played a crucial role in deciphering hieroglyphs due to its inscriptions in hieroglyphic, demotic, and ancient Greek, leading to Champollion's breakthrough in decoding names like Cleopatra and Ramesses.
  • Thomas Young and Jean-Francois Champollion's race to decipher hieroglyphs using the Rosetta Stone shifted Egyptology's focus from treasure hunting to historical understanding, marking a pivotal moment in the field's development.

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Recent questions

  • What was the significance of the Rosetta Stone?

    Key to deciphering hieroglyphs

  • Who decoded Cleopatra's name in hieroglyphs?

    Champollion

  • What did Thomas Young focus on in deciphering hieroglyphs?

    Phonetic values

  • What was the breakthrough in hieroglyph decipherment by Champollion?

    Decoding Ramesses' name

  • How did the decipherment of hieroglyphs impact Egyptology?

    Shifted focus to historical understanding

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Summary

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Deciphering Hieroglyphs: The Rosetta Stone Breakthrough

  • Egyptian antiquities were shipped to the West in the 1800s, covered in hieroglyphic inscriptions that were indecipherable.
  • Napoleon's men discovered the Rosetta Stone in 1799, with inscriptions in hieroglyphic, demotic, and ancient Greek.
  • Thomas Young and Jean-Francois Champollion raced to decipher hieroglyphs using the Rosetta Stone, focusing on phonetic values.
  • Young identified the name Ptolemy in hieroglyphs phonetically, but Champollion refined his work and decoded Cleopatra's name.
  • Champollion's breakthrough came with the name Ramesses, deciphering hieroglyphs systematically in the "Letter to Dacier."
  • The decipherment of hieroglyphs by Young and Champollion marked a pivotal moment in Egyptology, shifting focus from treasure hunting to historical understanding.
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