THE MYSTERY OF THE HIEROGLYPHS

PLB 0-19-521553-2 A picture-filled history of the decoding of Egyptian hieroglyphic writing, including the discovery of the Rosetta Stone by the French, and its appropriation by the British, the steps leading to deciphering it, and some basic information on how to read hieroglyphs. Also covered are the importance of cartouches, facts on the way the Egyptians wrote, and snippets of cultural information. This fascinating story of historical and linguistic deduction is made clear and accessible to readers. Central chapters on the works of Thomas Young and Jean Franáois Champollion on decoding the stone describe in detail the steps of the process that led to the final breakthrough. The text is intelligent and thorough, and the many full-color photographs and drawings both add interest and help clarify difficult points. (maps, diagrams, chronology, further reading, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 10-12)