The Rosetta Stone
The Museum's most famous object: Room 4, Level 0, guide number 204 — the key that unlocked ancient Egyptian writing.
The Rosetta Stone is the key that unlocked ancient Egyptian writing. The same text is inscribed on it three times in three different scripts, which is what finally allowed scholars to read hieroglyphs after centuries of failure.
Finding it
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Room | 4 |
| Level | 0 |
| Cultural area | Ancient Egypt |
| Guide number | 204 |
Why it opens almost every route
Because it combines three rare things: a single object that explains an entire civilisation, a central ground-floor position that is easy to reach, and a fame that makes it the first thing most visitors look for. Both the Top 10 tour and the Ancient Egypt tour begin here.
How to get to it
- Head for Room 4 on Level 0 — one of the Museum's best-known and busiest rooms.
- If you are unsure of the way, enter room number 4 on the Keypad in the app to navigate to the room.
- Or enter guide number 204 to go straight to the object page.
- Start the Arabic commentary while you are standing in front of the stone.
A practical tip
Room 4 is least crowded in the first hour after opening and in the last hour before closing. If you want an unobstructed look, make the Rosetta Stone your first stop of the day rather than your last.
This is an independent third-party guide. It is not affiliated with, licensed by, endorsed by or operated by the British Museum. Room numbers and levels can change with seasonal displays.
AI-generated images are illustrative only; the real artefacts may differ.
دليل مستقل تابع لجهة ثالثة. لا يتبع المتحف البريطاني ولا يحمل ترخيصًا منه ولا يحظى بتأييده أو تشغيله. يُستخدم اسم المتحف البريطاني لتحديد وجهة الزيارة فقط.
Plan your next visit
Install the guide before you travel, choose your tour, and listen in Arabic without needing a network.
An iPhone app for iOS. No account and no subscription required.
Frequently asked questions
Which room is the Rosetta Stone in?
Room 4 on Level 0, with guide number 204.
Is there Arabic commentary for the Rosetta Stone?
Yes, the Rosetta Stone has Arabic audio commentary along with a full object page in the app.
Do I need a ticket to see it?
The Rosetta Stone is part of the permanent collection, which is free to enter. Temporary exhibitions may be ticketed.