Rosetta Stone

On this day in 1799, the Rosetta Stone was discovered! An ancient Egyptian granodiorite stone inscribed with a decree from King Ptolemy V. It features the text in three languages: hieroglyphs, Demotic and Greek script.  It dates back to 196BC.

The discovery of the stone opened the door to the meaning of hieroglyphics, as comparisons were made of the different texts, and where the names of the pharaohs coincided! It was Pierre Francois Bouchard who is credited unlocking the mysteries of the stone. Now, all the history, religious practices, political maneuvering, daily living....everything....about the ancient Egyptians could now be read.

The stone makes its home since 1802 in the British Museum where it is on display right at the front entrance. It always has a myriad of people around it, but if you are patient, you can eventually stand before it. It was a remarkable find, and fascinates still.