The Rosetta Stone, with its decree written in three different languages, offered Egyptologists the key to deciphering the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic script. Dating from 196BC, it is a large stone tablet inscribed with the same text three times, in hieroglyphics: the language used for important or religious documents, demotic: the common script of Egypt and Greek: the language of the Egyptian rulers of the time.

The stone was inscribed by priests and is a decree affirming the royal cult of the 13 year old Ptolemy V on the anniversary of his coronation.

The Rosetta Stone was found in 1799 by French soldiers in the village of Rosetta (Rashid) and on Napoleon's defeat, the stone became property of the British.

It has since been on display at the British Museum.

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

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