Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Rosetta Stone allowed scientists to break the code. It contains a single inscription
repeated in three languages. The bottom third is plain old Greek (find your favorite frat or
sorority), while the middle is medieval Egyptian. By comparing the two known languages
with the one they didn't know, translators figured out the hieroglyphics.
The breakthrough came when they discovered that the large ovals (such as in the sixth
line from the top) represented the name of the ruler, Ptolemy. Simple.
•
In the gallery to the right of the Stone, find the huge head of Ramesses.
Colossal Statue of Ramesses II
When Moses told the king of Egypt, “Let my people go!” this was the stony-faced look he
got. Ramesses II ruled for 66 years (c. 1290-1223
B.C.
) and may have been in power when
Moses cursed Egypt with plagues, freed the Israeli slaves, and led them out of Egypt to
their homeland in Israel (according to the Bible, but not exactly corroborated by Egyptian
chronicles).
