The Rosetta Stone, not to be confused with the language learning software, is a granodiorite stone. It was found in 1799 in Rosetta, Eygypt by French scholars and sent to Napoleon. It contains the same writing in three different languages: Hieroglyphics (sacred language), Demotic (reformed Egyptian) and Greek. This allowed scholars to decipher Hieroglyphics and unlock the writings and history of Egypt.

Shortly after March 27, 196 BC, Pharaoh Ptolemy V Epiphanes sent out a decree called the Decree of Memphis. This decree cancelled debts and taxes, released prisoners and granted increased donations to the temples. The complete text was found on the wall of a temple and can be found at http://home.netcom.com/~qkstart/rosetta.html or at http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/

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Brigham Young University-Idaho is the first university in the world to obtain a full-size, 3D replica of the Rosetta Stone from The Freeman Institute. The replica was obtained to help students get a real view at what the stone is like. The replica is 40% resin and 60% granodiorite filler. It also contains a high density foam core to lessen the weight. It is one of the most important pieces to language and culture as it unveiled the Egyptian language and culture to the world.