| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Point of Interest |
| Location | Southeast of the Axum Observatory |
| Depth | 125m |
| Coordinates | -213863, 449442 |
| Scan Requirement | Scanner |
The Rosetta Stone is a titanium alloy monolith located near the Axum Observatory. It contains the same message written in two alien scripts and languages: Architect Linear and Axum Radial A. Scanning it unlocks the ability to decode all Axum logograms.
Description
Named after an important archaeological discovery from pre-Expansion Earth, the monolith was built approximately 250 years ago using construction techniques mimicking Architect block construction as discovered on 4546b. It is emplaced on a limestone tabletop above water-carved alcoves.
The Rosetta Stone was constructed by a group of Axum seemingly led by Soteria who hoped the Architects would be able to save their civilisation.
Specifications
- Age: ~250 years
- Material: Titanium alloy
- Scripts: Architect Linear + Axum Radial A
- Projected lifespan: Unknown
Gameplay
Scanning the Rosetta Stone provides the following benefits:
- Unlocks the Axum Glyph databank entry
- Enables translation of all 85 Axum logograms
- Completes the Rosetta Stone story goal and POI investigation
Inscriptions
The monolith contains 7 panels, each written in both Architect Linear and Axum Radial A:
| Panel | Glyph sequence | Decoded text |
|---|---|---|
| We call you Architects | other · Architects · self · Axum · world · Proteus | We call you Architects. We call ourselves Axum. This world is Proteus. |
| We beg your pardon | Architects · help · Proteus · Architects · other · joy · reflection | We beg your pardon. We called to you for help. We know it is your delight to visit and study. |
| This observatory will survive | comet · see · tower · life · drown · writing | We believe this observatory will survive our drowning. We chose it to hold our message. |
| Open the observatory | tower · technology · dwelling · call | Open the observatory. Find the computer hidden inside. It will tell you what we ask. |
| Soteria quote | self · evil · other · help · joy · salvation | "If you become weak, seek remedy in strangeness." Soteria. |
| Prime Numbers | 1 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 11 | 1 2 3 5 7 11 13 17 19 23 29 31 |
| Language Teaching | writing · reflection · other · self · writing · trading | This message is the same in your language and ours. The purpose is to teach you our language. |
Location
The Rosetta Stone is located southeast of the Axum Observatory at a depth of 125m.
Coordinates: -213863, 449442
Databank Entries
Rosetta Stone Approach
An artificial structure with markings in two alien scripts.
- One is the Architect language known from 4546b (Architect Linear)
- The other is an unknown language (Radial A)
If the two markings contain the same content, this will allow provisional translation of Radial A.
Source: Scan the Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone Scan
The "Rosetta Stone," named for an important archaeological discovery from pre-Expansion Earth, is a titanium alloy monolith that contains the same message in two alien languages. Presumably its purpose is to teach one species' language to the other.
- Approximately 250 years old
- Structure mimics Architect block construction as discovered on 4546b
- Emplaced on limestone tabletop above water-carved alcoves
- Projected lifespan: unknown
The known text on the monolith is written in Architect Linear, first translated by Architect devices discovered on 4546b. Architect Linear is remarkable for its extremely clear, unambiguous grammar and lack of context: it behaves like a programming language designed to compile on a wide range of hardware. Since first contact on 4546b, all Alterra intelligences have been programmed to translate Architect Linear for their users. It is unlikely that Architect Linear can be spoken aloud.
The unknown text is written in a glyph system provisionally designated Axum Radial A. This system is logographic: each glyph represents an entire word or concept. Discovering additional glyphs will help translate more complex Axum texts.
Conclusion: the Axum left this monolith as a message to Architect visitors. Be alert for signs of Architect activity, including robotic constructs and samples of kharaa bacterium.
Source: Scan the Rosetta Stone
Gallery
Trivia
- Although one of the inscriptions states the first few prime numbers, 1 is not a prime number by modern convention. In parts of the 18th and 19th century as well as in ancient Greece, 1 was included as a prime number, but has been removed in modern mathematics to avoid endless "except 1" in various definitions. An alien species may reasonably include 1 in their definition of prime numbers.
