Prior to the discovery of the Rosetta Stone (called that because it was discovered near a town called Rosetta by the French), scholars could not read Egyptian hieroglyphs. The Rosetta Stone carried a message written in Greek, ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and a more modern Egyptian language. Because scholars could read the Greek, Jean-Francois Champollion was able to use that knowledge to translate the Egyptian, and could then use that information to learn to read hieroglyphs.
Without the Rosetta Stone, we might never have learned about the mysteries of ancient Egypt.
For more information...
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Rosetta Stone
Take a closer look at the Rosetta Stone to learn more about one of the most famous objects in the British Museum.
British Museum-The Rosetta Stone
The British Museum (where the Rosetta Stone is on exhibit), looks at the history and significance of Champollion's discovery.
The Legacy and Tragic Death of Egyptology's Father, Champollion
Biography of Champollion, including pictures and copies of his notes.
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