Kircher’s reputation in the Republic of Letters did not survive him. While Kircher is readily credited with the founding of Coptic studies, he was only moderately interested in them. It was to deciphering hieroglyphics that Kircher devoted the rest of his life, leading the nascent field of Egyptology to a dead end. Despite relying on a considerable encyclopedia, Kircher subordinated his interpretations to the prisca theologia. In line with Renaissance theories on the supposedly exclusive symbolism of hieroglyphics, Kircher denied this writing the power to note the language of the ancient Egyptians, which opened the door to all manner of speculation. In this study, Kircher’s method will be illustrated and evaluated through his interpretation of the Pamphilius obelisk.