History // Ancient Egypt

Scribes and the Rosetta Stone

Know that scribes were specially trained people who could read and write hieroglyphs, that the Rosetta Stone — a slab with the same text in three scripts — was the key to cracking the hieroglyphic code, and that Jean-François Champollion used it to decipher hieroglyphs in 1822 after centuries of mystery

Ages
7 to 9
Type
Concept
Builds on
3 topics
Leads to
2 topics

Quick check

If the learner sees the Rosetta Stone in a museum (or a picture of it), can they explain why it was so important and how it helped us read hieroglyphs?

Ask this to see whether the topic is secure.

Topic // Mastery

What mastery looks like

What a learner can do once this topic is secure.
  • Explain the importance of scribes as the only people who could read and write
  • Describe the Rosetta Stone as having the same message in three different scripts
  • Name Champollion as the person who decoded hieroglyphs using the Rosetta Stone

Topic // Map

Where this fits

What to learn first and what this topic opens up, with the reason for each link. Required links come first.
  • RequiredMust come first
  • HelpfulHelps, but not essential

Before this

3 topics
  • Hieroglyphs and PapyrusRequired

    Ancient Egypt // Ages 5 to 7

    Rosetta Stone and Champollion builds on basic hieroglyphs and scribes

  • Knowing all lettersHelpful

    English // Phonics & Word Reading // Ages 4 to 6

    Knowing how the English alphabet maps symbols to sounds enriches the study of Champollion's decipherment of the hieroglyphic code on the Rosetta Stone

  • Egyptian Social HierarchyHelpful

    Ancient Egypt // Ages 7 to 9

    Scribes' elite status benefits from understanding the social hierarchy

You are here

Scribes and the Rosetta Stone

Ages 7 to 9 // Concept

Leads to

2 topics
  • Historical Sources on Ancient EgyptRequired

    Ancient Egypt // Ages 11 to 13

    Advanced Egyptian scribal culture and literary traditions depends on Rosetta Stone and hieroglyphic decipherment

  • Egyptian Trade and EconomyHelpful

    Ancient Egypt // Ages 9 to 11

    Trade records were kept by scribes — literacy supports economic understanding

History // Ancient Egypt

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