Joel Freeman, a 1986 graduate of Loyola University Maryland, has created life-size 3D replicas of the Rosetta Stone to serve as educational tools. The Rosetta Stone, discovered in Egypt in 1799, provided the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics. Freeman spent four years making laser impressions and digital models to precisely replicate the stone. He believes experiencing his high-quality replicas will enhance understanding of ancient Egypt and its importance to history. His goal is to have the replicas exhibited in museums worldwide to educate millions about the stone's significance.

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LIVING HISTORY
By Jacqueline Durett, '00
For Joel Freeman, sharing the lessons of the Rosetta Stone is the fulfillment of a dream.
Freeman, a filmmaker, speaker, and author, has created a life­size, 3­D replica of the Rosetta Stone, an artifact created in 196 B.C.
and found in Egypt in 1799. Its discovery provided hieroglyphic translations.
Freeman, who graduated from Loyola in 1986 with a master’s degree in pastoral counseling, hopes his Rosetta stone models—he
has also developed miniature versions—can serve as educational tools in classrooms and art galleries.
“I view the Rosetta Stone as one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the past two to three centuries,” he said,
noting that the artifact has revealed many of the secrets of Egypt. “In my opinion, the discovery of the Rosetta Stone and the
subsequent cracking of the code to hieroglyphics have contributed much to the way modern archaeology has informed the way we
can now better understand the Bible.”
Last fall, Freeman presented his Rosetta Stone replica at a presentation at the Library of Congress.
Rosetta Stone replicas are valuable because they can enhance others’ understanding of ancient Egypt and its role in history,
Freeman said. “For some, ‘Rosetta Stone’ is just a language software company,” he said. “Exhibitions with replicas in museums
and educational institutions around the world will create the opportunity for potentially millions of people to see a museum­quality
replica. Once people see the full­size, 3­D replica, perhaps they will want to read more about the drama surrounding its discovery
on the west bank of the Nile, its acquisition by the British, the complicated translation process, and its contributions to the soft
science of archaeology.”
Creating the Rosetta Stone replicas required an arduous four­year process. Freeman had laser impressions made of the original,
which is housed in London’s British Museum (the museum is not affiliated with the project), and then had a digital model and
subsequent mold made. The “classic” version of the replica measures 45 inches tall by 30 inches wide by 11 inches thick and
weighs 95 pounds.
Freeman created the replicas out of passion. “I still consider myself to be a student of history,” he said. I love sharing what I have
learned and I am confident that my love for the lessons we all can learn from history comes through when I talk. My main
qualification is that I only do what I love doing.”
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