Cracking Codes The Rosetta Stone and Decipherment

Richard Parkinson

ISBN 10: 0520222482 / ISBN 13: 9780520222489

Published by University of California Press, Berkeley Ca., 1999

About this Item

Softcover, 208 pages in fine condition, light wear to cover edges. here is the story of the stone's discovery and the so called battle of the decipherers which it inspired. this book also examines the wider issues of script and writing in ancient Egypt and beyond. Discusses the relationship between hieroglyphs and art, the social presitge of literacy, the power of writing, and the practical aspects of writing. A brief description of other decipherments is also given.; 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall.

Seller Inventory # 002286

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Cracking Codes The Rosetta Stone and Decipherment
• Publisher: University of California Press, Berkeley Ca.
• Publication Date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0520222482
• ISBN 13: 9780520222489
• Binding: Softcover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket
• Seller catalogs:
  • Travel
  • History

About this title

Synopsis

Publication to accompany a major 1999 exhibition at the British Museum celebrating the bicentenary of the Stone's discovery, and including a selective catalogue of the exhibits. It also examines the wider issues of script and writing in ancient Egypt and beyond, for example, the relationship between hieroglyphs and art, the social prestige of literacy, and the practical aspects of writing (scibal exquipment and training). Other issues in decipherment are also discussed, such as Linear B and Meroitic, a language which still remains to be read.

About the Author

Richard Parkinson is Assistant Keeper in the Department of Egyptian Antiquities at the British Museum specializing in hieratic papyri and epigraphy. His publications include Voices from Ancient Egypt: An Anthology of Middle Kingdom Writings (1991), Papyrus (with S. Quirke) and The Tale of Sinuhe and Other Egyptian Poems, 1940-1640 B.C.