The Rosetta Stone
The Rosetta Stone is a stone slab carved from granodiorite, an igneous rock resembling granite. It acquired its name from the area where it was found in the in 1798. The British Museum estimates it originated during the lifetime of King Ptolemy V, around 196 B.C. Etched with Egyptian hieroglyphs, it displays a Greek translation of the king’s Memphis Decree issued at Memphis (British Museum 2014).
Three scripts appear on the stele. Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs comprise the upper text, Demotic script occupies the middle portion, and the text finishes in Ancient Greek. The text is essentially the same, translated ...