Explore the fascinating journey of deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs in this 42-minute lecture from The Royal Institution. Delve into the history of early written languages, focusing on the development of hieroglyphic script and its immortalization on the Rosetta Stone. Learn about key figures in the decipherment process, including Joseph Fourier, Thomas Young, and Jean-François Champollion. Discover the significance of the Coptic language and the Rosetta Stone in unlocking the secrets of this ancient writing system. Gain insights into the challenges faced by scholars in cracking the code and the methods they employed to decipher these enigmatic symbols.