British academics sign petition calling for returning Rosetta Stone to Egypt

CAIRO – 3 October 2022: British academics called for the return of the Rosetta Stone to Egypt after more than 200 years of its presence in the United Kingdom. 

Experts signed a petition that says the precious 2,200-year-stone, which enabled the deciphering of hieroglyphs in 1822-1824, must be returned to its country of origin, according to Britain's Daily Mail.

Joyce Tyldesley, professor of Egyptology at the University of Manchester, said the time was right to bring the stone back. "Conversations can begin now on the bicentenary of deciphering the stone to return it to continue its journey, there would be no harm in that," the professor added.

"Why is the Rosetta Stone in London and not Cairo?" Tyldesley wandered when speaking to the Sunday Times. Dr. Nikki Nielsen, a senior lecturer in Egyptology, also at the University of Manchester, agreed with her, saying that the stone will be a great addition to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which is now being built.

This comes as the Greek prime minister prepares to speak to Liz Truss about the possibility of Britain returning the Elgin marble, which is also in the British Museum. The petition calling for the return of the Rosetta Stone was launched in Egypt and has since been circulating throughout Westminster.