Decoding Hieroglyphs and Other Ancient Scripts

How We Read the Past

By: Thalos Virellon

Narrated by: Meredith Amelotti

Imagine uncovering a secret message from thousands of years ago—written not in ink but in mysterious symbols carved into stone or pressed into clay. That’s the real-life magic behind Decoding Hieroglyphs and Other Ancient Scripts, a fascinating journey into how archaeologists and language experts have unlocked the voices of long-lost civilisations. Written with clarity, warmth, and historical insight, this book brings to life the greatest codebreaking adventures in human history.

From the majestic hieroglyphs of ancient Egypt to the wedge-shaped impressions of Mesopotamian cuneiform, from the elegant Mayan glyphs to the cryptic symbols of Linear B and Rongorongo, this book explores how some of humanity’s oldest writings were invented, used, lost—and then rediscovered. At the heart of it all is the question: how do you understand a language no one has spoken for thousands of years?

Learn how the Rosetta Stone acted as a linguistic time machine, giving scholars the key to reading Egyptian hieroglyphs after centuries of silence. Discover how the brilliant Jean-François Champollion unlocked this code using both detective-like logic and his deep knowledge of ancient languages. Follow the story of cuneiform, the world’s oldest writing system, and the brave scholars who climbed cliffs and pieced together clues to reveal its meaning. Meet the amateur architect who cracked Linear B, an early Greek script, and the brilliant women and men who untangled the complexities of Mayan writing.

But the journey doesn’t stop at what we’ve solved. This book also dives into the tantalising mysteries that remain. Explore the undeciphered scripts that still baffle scholars: the enigmatic Indus Valley symbols, the Minoan Linear A, and the mysterious Rongorongo of Easter Island. Each represents a puzzle still waiting to be solved—and the possibility that the next big breakthrough could come from a new mind, perhaps even yours.

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A Time Machine in Book Form

Reading this book felt like traveling through time. It brought ancient civilizations to life and showed how scholars pieced together forgotten languages. The stories are so engaging that even complex topics felt accessible and exciting.

ncient Civilizations Come Alive

I loved how this book doesn’t just describe symbols—it paints vivid pictures of the people who used them. From the scribes of Egypt to the scholars of modern times, every story feels alive and human.

Fascinating Look at the Origins of Writing

I learned how writing wasn’t just invented—it evolved differently in various parts of the world. The comparison between Egyptian, Mayan, and Mesopotamian scripts was particularly enlightening.

A Book That Sparks Curiosity

Every page of this book made me want to learn more. The way it explains the breakthroughs in deciphering ancient scripts is clear and exciting. Great for both casual readers and aspiring linguists.

Fascinating from Start to Finish

I thought this would be dry and academic—but it was anything but! The writing is warm, clear, and full of enthusiasm. You can feel the author’s passion for ancient languages and the people who decoded them.