I recall learning about the Rosetta Stone when I was much younger. It was a fascinating archeological find as it unlocked the Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Disclaimer: The featured image, above, has been rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise.

In its simplest terms, it is a physical stone, much like a headstone with a section in the top right missing. Perhaps 1 metre in height. There are 3 distinct sections all telling the same story. The bottom section, in Greek, could be read by scholars. The middle section can be thought of as hieroglyphics in words. The top section was in traditional Egyptian hieroglyphics. These latter two sections had never been able to be deciphered.

Soldiers in Napoleon’s army discovered it in 1977. Since then, more have been unearthed, with the latest finding taking place in 2011!

The Rosetta Stone is a priestly decree, drawn up on March 27, 196 BC. It was written in 3 languages to pay homage to the 3 power stakeholders at the time.

The main body of the text honours the Egyptian King, comparing him to the gods. For example, his statue could be placed in temples across the land, next to that of the gods. It could be carried in processions, and the King’s birthday could be celebrated in the temples.

Evidence suggests that copies of this decree were placed in temples across Egypt. The decoding could begin with the original. Subsequent finds provide historical confidence that the missing section could be completed. It is also very probable that there was an arched top with figures telling heroic stories of battle.

This stone made me think of a key find that altered my life. It helped me understand who I was, who I wanted to be, and how I wanted to walk through the world.

Somewhere in my middle teens, during my struggle to shape my identity, I read a book called Pairing, as in relationships. It changed me from a shy, quiet young adult with low self-confidence to a shy, quiet young adult with a healthy level of self-confidence. I was able to fake it until I made it. Most of the time, nobody really knew.

That book was my Rosetta Stone. It unlocked many mysteries for me.

Please give this a bit of a think. Do you have your own version of a Rosetta Stone? Was it an object, book, film or conversation perhaps?

I am curious about your thoughts. Please comment below with your bit of a think.

Photo by: Glenn Walmsley

If you enjoyed The Blog, please share it with others. Thanks.

And my thanks to St. Albert’s 50+ Activity Centre for making this Blog possible.

Volunteer Blogger

glenn.walmsley@icloud.com