September 29, 2006
I am so, so excited for today.
Because today is the 184th anniversary of the decipherment of Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Yes, it was on September 29, 1822 that Jean-François Champollion published his Lettre à M. Dacier, setting forth his (correct) arguments that the ancient Egyptians used a phonetically based writing system.
He built on the work of Thomas Young, among others, but it is Champollion who is generally credited with breaking the code.
Thank God I have events like this to give my life meaning.
Because if I were confined to Organic Potato Day I don't know what the fuck I'd do.
Posted by Faustus, MD at 05:55 AM
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Comments
2) Karen said (on 09/29/06 at 11:08 AM):
I believe today may also be Johnny Appleseed's birthday. Food for thought.
3) Chris said (on 09/29/06 at 01:11 PM):
I am going to Egypt on 12/21 and returning on 12/31 - Joel - wanna go along? Nile cruise included!
:)
4) sae said (on 09/29/06 at 01:55 PM):
low on content today?
5) anapestic said (on 09/29/06 at 02:24 PM):
I'm afraid that I find M. Champollion's timing somewhat affreuse. The appropriate way to celebrate Egyptian Hieroglyphs Decipherment Day is to take immediately to one's bed for five days, preferably with a friend. This sort of activity would be highly appropriate near the winter solstice, when days are short and cold, and there is not much to be done out of doors, but it is exceedingly inconvenient near the autumnal equinox, when the crops need to be gathered in.
Clearly, as with Organic Potato Day, you are reminding us how far we have strayed from the agricultural roots of our forebears, and I think it damnably unkind of you to rub our noses in it.
[Please note also that I had originally written the above paragraphs in hieroglyphs, but they did not show up on preview. M. Rameses would, I think, not be amused.]
6) David said (on 09/29/06 at 05:49 PM):
If I recall correctly, you've used heiroglyphics when placing singles ads in the past. Is there something you need to tell us?
7) Jannah said (on 09/30/06 at 08:29 AM):
Nerd :p
8) Logan said (on 09/30/06 at 01:19 PM):
You could find out how to render "yummy organic latkes" in hieroglyphics for the next time you place an ad.
9) Chris said (on 09/30/06 at 08:57 PM):
what are the heiroglyphs for 'big nelly bottom' ?
10) Jeffrey said (on 10/ 2/06 at 11:17 AM):
There isn't one, Chris. He had to write that part in English.
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