On the top are the hieroglyphics. In the middle, a translation in the common
Egyptian language of the day called Demotic. At the bottom is a Greek
translation. A brilliant young Frenchman called Jean-François Champollion
deciphered the code using another ancient language called Coptic.
When he was only 16, he actually managed to tie in the idea that Coptic, the sort
of Christian form of Egyptian, was linked to the hieroglyphics. He used this in
conjunction with the Greek that he knew and the Demotic on the Rosetta Stone to
actually crack the code for the ancient Egyptian script. It's said that after
Champollion made his breakthrough, he cried out, I've done it, then promptly
fainted and remained passed out for five full days.
Emerging from the stone were the stories of the Pharaohs, Ramses, Tutankhamun,
Queen Nefertiti, how they lived, their fears, their desires.
Jean-François Champollion also managed to coax from the stone the sound of
hieroglyphics.
The sound of the ancient script can still be heard today. It's the language
used by Coptic Christians in church. On a scale from one to ten, it's probably
an eleven because it is really quite extraordinary that someone could, from a
jumble of symbols, manage to come up with a language and a grammar which was
published as well. So not just the words but he sort of broke through the idea
that these signs were merely symbols. He understood that they stood for sounds
and then also for words themselves. You can see beside this we have the statue of
Champollion. Then it's very important for Champollion in Egypt to look at
original piece, not to have to look at a copy. You cannot have a copy of that
Rosetta stone in the in the Cairo Museum. But how does Egypt propose to get the
Rosetta stone back home? The detective work and determination that have helped
recover other lost and stolen treasures when hemispheres return. Often they're
discovered on the websites of big auction houses. Sometimes people have a
twang of conscience and return them in the post.
Along with the
big auction houses. Sometimes people have a twang of conscience and return them in the
post.
The Egyptian piece of the statue was taken back to Egypt. It is not yet near Campra
in Australia. This is the last thing that has happened. It was taken back to Egypt on
Saturday.
Archaeologist Rehab Galal is one of the back room workers using the net to catch a thief.
This is our heritage. It is very difficult to know. All the people are ready to deal
with the stolen heritage. This is not good because the stolen heritage is heritage, history
and civilization of the country.
The Rosetta Stone was taken because an imperial power could do it. It seems that resting it
back might be somewhat more difficult. Two years ago Zahi Hawass raised the issue when
he spoke at the British Museum.
I just made a speech and I said that Rosetta Stone should come back to Egypt. If you cannot
give it to us for good, we can ask it for a loan.
And what was their reaction?
Their reaction was terrible. Not from the museum, people, but from the press. The press
attacked me badly as if this is owned by the English. It is not owned by the English. It
is owned by the Egyptians. And I did not really request it officially. It was just a speech,
a very friendly speech.
But a reaction which revealed the nasty side of Egyptology. A British newspaper branded
Zahi Hawass King Tut Tut Tut. He was accused of high-handed behavior and of victimizing
anybody who crossed him.
The British Museum is refusing to speak about the Rosetta Stone. Academic Tim Shadler-Hall
appreciates the stakes are high, caving to Egypt's demands and there's a dangerous precedent
to return the icons of other nations.
Everybody says, oh, we don't want to give it back. It's very, it's Roman imperialism.
The Romans did exactly the same. They collected stuff from all over the Roman Empire and stuffed
it into Rome.
Back in Cairo, Zahi Hawass is sensitive to charges that the Egyptian Museum is already
too full to do justice to the Rosetta Stone. But Zahi Hawass has big plans to overhaul
Egypt's museums, including building a new mega museum near the pyramids.
I believe that the Rosetta Stone should be exhibited in the Grand Museum, that the whole
world can come and witness this great museum, the largest museum in the world, and see the
Rosetta Stone in a special place that can be for everyone.
Everyone, except for those with an unyielding belief that Britain is best. But it seems
it will take an effort of pharaonic proportions to prize the Rosetta Stone in the grip of
Greater London.
That was the ABC's David Hardacre in Egypt, and that is Hemispheres for another week.
Let us know what you think about the program. Our email addresses will be on the screen
in just a moment. I'm Ian Hannomancing in Vancouver. Felicity, see you next week.
Ian, I look forward to it. I'm Felicity Davy in Sydney, and thank you for watching
Hemispheres.