In 15 July marks the anniversary of the Rosetta Stone Discovery Discovery by a French officer during Napoleon Bonaparte’s campaign in Egypt, while fortifying the Julien Fort in the city of Rosetta (modern-day Rashid), near Alexandria
Carved from black basalt, the Rosetta Stone is considered one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 18th century for its pivotal role in deciphering the ancient Egyptian writing and laying the foundation for Egyptology
The stone bears an inscription written in three scripts, hieroglyphic, demotic & ancient Greek, which enabled the French scholar Jean-François Champollion to decode the hieroglyphic script in 1822
The text on the Rosetta Stone is a decree issued in 196 BC by the priests of Memphis, honoring King Ptolemy V for his accomplishments & contributions to the country
