The Rosetta Stone and what it actually says with Ilona Regulski | Curator's Corner S7 Ep7

The British Museum2 minutes read

Ilona Rigulski is curating an exhibition on the Rosetta Stone, a key artifact in deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs due to its inscription in three scripts and two languages, honoring King Ptolemy V with divine comparisons for his good deeds. The stone's missing parts can be reconstructed based on parallel texts, with copies distributed across Egypt, and it will return to Gallery 4 after the exhibition.

Insights

  • The Rosetta Stone, discovered in 1799 in Rashid, Egypt, by Napoleon's soldiers, played a crucial role in deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, as it was inscribed in three scripts and two languages.
  • The Priestly decree from 196 BC found on the Rosetta Stone honored the king with divine comparisons for his good deeds, highlighting the stone's significance in ancient Egyptian history and its distribution across Egypt.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of the Rosetta Stone?

    The Rosetta Stone helped decipher ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.

  • How was the Rosetta Stone discovered?

    The Rosetta Stone was discovered in 1799 in Rashid, Egypt, by Napoleon's soldiers.

  • What languages are inscribed on the Rosetta Stone?

    The Rosetta Stone is inscribed in Greek, Demotic, and Hieroglyphs.

  • How long is the Rosetta Stone?

    The Rosetta Stone has a two-meter length.

  • Where will the Rosetta Stone be displayed after the exhibition?

    The Rosetta Stone will return to permanent Gallery 4 after the exhibition.

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Summary

00:00

Decoding the Rosetta Stone: Ancient Egypt's Key

  • Ilona Rigulski, a curator in the department of Egypt and Sudan, is working on an exhibition titled "Hieroglyphs: Unlocking Ancient Egypt."
  • The Rosetta Stone, a replica displayed due to its weight, was discovered in 1799 in Rashid, Egypt, by Napoleon's soldiers.
  • The stone, inscribed in three scripts and two languages, helped decipher ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.
  • The Rosetta Stone is a Priestly decree from 196 BC, honoring the king with divine comparisons for his good deeds.
  • Copies of the Rosetta Stone were distributed across Egypt, with three exact copies found in different locations.
  • The Rosetta Stone's missing parts can be reconstructed based on parallel texts, with a two-meter length and Egyptian iconography.
  • The text was composed in Greek, then translated into Demotic and Hieroglyphs, showcasing the priests' linguistic abilities.
  • The decree prescribed the stone's publication in sacred, native, and Greek writing in all important temples of Egypt.
  • The decree ends with the king's name, Ptolemy V, written in a Cartouche, emphasizing the importance of the temple placements.
  • The classification of first, second, and third-class temples for the decree's placement remains unclear, hinting at the Temple of Ta as a significant location.

16:16

Rosetta Stone to return to Gallery 4.

  • Rosetta Stone will return to permanent Gallery 4 after the exhibition.
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