Secret Messages on Egyptian Obelisk in Paris Decoded After 3,300 Years
Hieroglyphs on the Luxor Obelisk in Paris reveal cleverly hidden propaganda praising Pharaoh Ramesses II as divinely ordained.
May 02, 2025
Cryptic hieroglyphics on the top of a 3,300-year-old Egyptian obelisk in Paris' Place de la Concorde have only just been found, and now their secret message has finally been decoded. Recent research by Egyptologist Jean-Guillaume Olette-Pelletier suggests the inscriptions were a masterclass in ancient propaganda, designed to cement Pharaoh Ramesses II's divine legitimacy.
Carved near the monument's summit, the hieroglyphs declare Ramesses II 'chosen by the gods' and of 'divine essence,' visible primarily to Nile travellers during its original placement in Luxor. The western side, once oriented toward the Nile, depicts Ramesses making offerings to the god Amun - a symbolic gesture meant to reinforce his right to rule.
The obelisk also employs a sophisticated technique called three-dimensional cryptography, where hieroglyphs shift meaning based on reading direction. For instance, one inscription alternates between Ramesses' full throne name (Usermaatre Setepenre) and a declaration of his eternal reign when read left-to-right versus right-to-left. These messages, visible to elites and religious audiences during Nile voyages, blended spiritual symbolism with royal authority.
While some scholars urge caution until peer review, Olette-Pelletier argues these carvings were tailored for elite audiences, blending political messaging with religious symbolism. The 23-metre monument, gifted to France in 1830, once served as a billboard of royal authority - proving ancient rulers knew a thing or two about spin.
The findings await publication in Égypte Nilotique et Méditerranéenne.
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