Dr Paul Allen

The following article is adapted from the  ESV Archaeology Study Bible —a new study tool that roots biblical text in its cultural and historical context.  1. Rosetta Stone In 1798, Napoleon invaded Egypt. He brought with him a scientific team of scholars and draftsmen to survey the monuments of the land. The most important find of the expedition was the Rosetta Stone. It proved to be valuable as the key to deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics . The stone dated to the period of Ptolemy V (204– 180 BC ) and was inscribed in three scripts: demotic, Greek, and hieroglyphic. The Greek, well known to scholars at the time, proved to be a translation of the ancient Egyptian language on the stone. Translation of hieroglyphics marked the beginning of the study of ancient Egyptian texts and grammar and provided the basis for modern Egyptology studies. 2. Dead Sea Scrolls In 1947, shepherds stumbled upon a cave in a rugged, arid area on the western side of the Dead Sea. What t