Philology and the Appropriation of the World: Champollion's Hieroglyphs

This book explores the circumstances that enabled Jean-François Champollion to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphs, highlighting the triumphs and challenges of comparative philology in the 19th century. It also reveals Champollion's concern for the preservation of ancient Egyptian cultural sites, advocating for their international protection.

Format: Hardback
Length: 187 pages
Publication date: 12 April 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This captivating book delves into the enigmatic realm of Jean-François Champollion's groundbreaking decipherment of Egyptian hieroglyphs, shedding new light on the intricate constellation of epistemological, political, and material conditions that enabled his remarkable achievement. Champollion's triumph in understanding hieroglyphs, initially unveiled in his Lettre à M. Dacier in 1822, stands as a testament to the remarkable accomplishments of comparative philology during the 19th century. In his pursuit of comprehending humanity as an integral part of a grand narrative of progress, Champollion's vision of ancient Egypt aligns with the universalistic aspirations of European modernity. However, the very success of his project also unveils the profound costs it incurred. After meticulously examining and welcoming acquisitions for the emerging Egyptian collections in Europe, Champollion embarked on a journey to the Nile Valley in 1828/29, where he was deeply dismayed by the devastating damage inflicted upon its ancient cultural sites. In a poignant letter addressed to the Egyptian viceroy Mehmet Ali Pasha in 1829, Champollion fervently advocated for the regulation of excavations in Egypt, denounced European looting, and arguably presented the earliest documented plea for the international protection of cultural treasures in the name of humanity.

Weight: 402g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031128936
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023