In Search of History

Secrets of the Rosetta Stone

Engraved in 196 BC, discovered in 1799 and deciphered in 1822, the Rosetta Stone unlocked the centuries-old puzzle of hieroglyphics. In doing so, the Rosetta Stone provided a window to the world of the ancient Egyptians and the secrets of the past. Scholars, historians, and archeologists continue to enrich our knowledge about the ancient Egyptian world, and they could not do so but for the Rosetta Stone.

Secrets of the Rosetta Stone would be useful for classes on Ancient History, Egyptian History, French History, Archeology and Geography. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Discussion Questions

  1. The Rosetta Stone is one of the most important treasures of all time. Why?

  2. How did the Rosetta Stone unlock the mysteries of the past?

  3. The metaphor of a key describes the value of the Rosetta Stone. What is a metaphor? Why is the metaphor of the key used for the Rosetta Stone? What other metaphors can you use to describe some historical artifacts?

  4. Napoleon’s troops discovered the Rosetta Stone when they invaded Egypt. Why did Napoleon invade Egypt? Why did he believe it was necessary? What did he hope to gain?

  5. In an unusual move for a general, Napoleon brought academics to Egypt as well as soldiers. Why?

  6. How did Napoleon’s soldiers and scholars discover the Rosetta Stone?

  7. Discuss Napoleon’s impact on the world and on history.

  8. There were three types of writing on the Rosetta Stone. What were they?

  9. How did the Rosetta Stone find its way to Great Britain? Why was there such a struggle between France and Great Britain to possess the stone?

  10. Discuss some of the obstacles faced in deciphering the stone.

  11. How was the Rosetta Stone finally deciphered?
Extended Activities

  1. Create your own system of hieroglyphics.

  2. Create your own Rosetta Stone to decipher your system of hieroglyphics.
Related Videos

Air Dates

Classroom Materials