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Today in History: Champollion Announces Breakthrough in Deciphering Hieroglyphs

9/27/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On September 27, 1822, Egyptologist Jean-François Champollion wrote to the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, revealing his groundbreaking progress in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs using the Rosetta Stone. This letter marked a pivotal moment in Egyptology, establishing the foundation for understanding ancient Egyptian writing systems that had been lost for centuries.

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Story summary

On September 27, 1822, Egyptologist Jean-François Champollion wrote to the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, revealing his groundbreaking progress in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs using the Rosetta Stone. This letter marked a pivotal moment in Egyptology, establishing the foundation for understanding ancient Egyptian writing systems that had been lost for centuries.