Jean-François Champollion deciphers new Hieroglyphs
In this letter, Champollion isn’t triumphant, he’s searching. From Abu Simbel’s hieroglyphs, he questions, deciphers, doubts. Ramses II, Ahmosis, Ergamenes: each name fuels his quest. A rare glimpse of a genius still learning, still passionate, still human.
The letter opens with a striking image: hieroglyphs meticulously copied from the sunlit façade of the temple at Ibsamboul, now known as Abu Simbel. Jean-François Champollion, pioneer of Egyptology and famed for deciphering hieroglyphs in 1822, writes to British archaeologist William Gell. He thanks him for sending these hieroglyphic copies and eagerly shares his analysis. He transcribes, recognizing a royal dedication date and beginning the decoding of a full royal titulary:
Year XXXV, month of Tâbi, the 13th
This five-page letter reveals not a triumphant Champollion fresh from the Rosetta Stone breakthrough, but a tireless researcher still in search of confirmation. What strikes the reader most is how thoroughly he questions each name, date, and cartouche, always uncertain, always comparing, eager to verify. He identifies the “King guardian of the earthly world… son of the sun” as Ramses II, confirms Ahmosis as the founder of the 18th dynasty, and formulates hypotheses about Ergamenes, the enigmatic Nubian king mentioned by Diodorus of Sicily. This document offers a rare glimpse into the painstaking and unfinished work of early Egyptology.
What makes this letter especially valuable is how clearly it shows that Champollion’s mastery was still evolving. Just four years after publicly proclaiming he had “solved” the hieroglyphic system, he is still analyzing divine epithets, cartouche variants, and regional dedications with caution and precision. His confession adds a poignant human touch to this historic testimony:
I so rarely have the chance to speak hieroglyphs with someone who understands me
This letter was contributed by Julien Paganetti, a French expert in historical autographs and manuscripts based in Lyon, France. He is considered a leading authority in his field, both nationally and internationally. He has discovered and brought to light prestigious historical documents, and his clientele includes renowned collectors, institutions, and even former French presidents. Julien is truly passionate about his work and always eager to engage with fellow enthusiasts, particularly during international exhibitions.
