Since it contained identical content in three languages, scholars thought the Rosetta Stone might be able to help crack the historic mystery. Scholars had long puzzled over the meaning of the picture-like markings, known as hieroglyphs, made on ancient Egyptian slabs.

The Rosetta Stone’s codeīut the stone had more than aesthetic value. ( Here's why Napoleon's military defeat in Egypt yielded a victory for history.) So in 1802 the Rosetta Stone made its way to London, where it was put on display at the British Museum almost immediately upon arriving. The French were allowed to evacuate, but the British demanded they hand over the antiquities collection before leaving. The Egyptologists gathered a large number of ancient artifacts they wanted to take back to France, including the Rosetta Stone.īut the British wanted Egypt, too, and in 1801 they prevailed over French forces. Scientists and historians were part of the conquering force, and streamed into the country to document what they found there. Conquering scholarsįast-forward to 1798, when Napoleon led French forces to take over Egypt, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire. But what was its lasting impact? Learn how Ancient Egypt contributed to society with its many cultural developments, particularly in language and mathematics.

The Ancient Egyptian civilization, famous for its pyramids, pharaohs, mummies, and tombs, flourished for thousands of years.