Philology and the Appropriation of the World

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Focusing on the decipherment of Egyptian hieroglyphs, the book explores the complex interplay of epistemological, political, and material factors that facilitated Jean-François Champollion's groundbreaking work. His achievements in comparative philology not only highlight the aspirations of 19th-century European modernity but also expose the detrimental consequences of cultural exploitation. Champollion's 1829 letter to the Egyptian viceroy advocates for the regulation of excavations and the protection of cultural heritage, marking a significant early call for the safeguarding of global cultural goods.