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How We Deciphered Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs

By: Andrew Robinson
Originally Published in  
Science Focus
A stone with ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs
© Getty
Vocabulary

Intricate (adjective): Very detailed and complex.

Phonetic (adjective): Relating to the sounds of speech.

Archaeological (adjective): Relating to the study of ancient people and cultures through artifacts.

The Rosetta Stone unlocked the mystery of Egyptian hieroglyphs, enabling scholars to finally interpret the language of an ancient civilization.

The lost language of hieroglyphs

For centuries, the meaning of Egyptian hieroglyphs was a mystery. After the fall of ancient Egypt, the ability to read these intricate symbols was lost. However, in 1799, during Napoleon Bonaparte’s campaign in Egypt, French soldiers stumbled upon the Rosetta Stone near the Nile Delta. This ancient slab contained a decree written in three languages: Greek, Demotic, and hieroglyphic. Since Greek was well-known, scholars used it to decipher the unknown scripts.

One stone, three languages

English scientist Thomas Young made the first major breakthrough by identifying the name Ptolemy in both Greek and hieroglyphic texts. By comparing the symbols, he concluded that some hieroglyphs represented phonetic sounds, not just symbolic meanings.

Champollion cracks the code

However, it was Jean-François Champollion who made the most significant leap. In 1822, he identified the name Cleopatra on a newly discovered inscription, confirming that hieroglyphs were a complex combination of phonetic, symbolic, and pictorial signs. His groundbreaking work allowed scholars to finally read and understand Egyptian texts, revealing their religious beliefs, daily life, and historical events.

Opening the door to ancient Egypt

Champollion’s discoveries were instrumental in unlocking the history of one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating civilizations, opening the door to further archaeological exploration and understanding.

© Andrew Robinson / Our Media