Object Record

Rosetta Stone

Genre:

Ancient

Civilization:

Egypt

Culture:

Ptolemaic

Period:

Hellenistic

Date:

196 BC

About:

The Rosetta Stone is arguably the most famous piece of rock in history. A granodiorite fragment of a larger stele, it bears a priestly decree issued at Memphis in three scripts: Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, Demotic, and Ancient Greek. This linguistic trifecta provided the essential key for Jean-François Champollion and Thomas Young to crack the code of hieroglyphics, unlocking three millennia of Egyptian history that had been silenced for centuries. Its journey from a temple wall to a fortress foundation, and finally to the world's stage, makes it a true icon of human discovery.

Alternate Title:

The Memphis Decree

Inscription(s):

A decree issued by a council of priests confirming the royal cult of Ptolemy V Epiphanes on the first anniversary of his coronation.

Type of Work:

Inscription, Stele

Material:

Granodiorite

Dimensions:

H: 112.3 x W: 75.7 x D: 28.4 x Weight: 760 cm

Collection

Provenance:

Originally displayed in a temple (possibly at Sais); moved to Rosetta and used as building material in Fort Julien (Mamluk period); discovered by French officer Pierre-François Bouchard in 1799; surrendered to British forces under the Treaty of Alexandria in 1801; moved to the British Museum in 1802.

Institution:

British Museum

Location:

London, Greater London, United Kingdom

Accession:

BM24

Credit Line:

© The Trustees of the British Museum

Copyright Status:

Public Domain

Deep Links:

BM 24WikipediaWikidataJean-Franu00e7ois Champollion

References

Authority Files:

Wikidata: Q48584 VIAF: 184000414

Tags:

Ancient EgyptHieroglyphicsPtolemaic PeriodRosetta Stone