I am an ancient proclamation, But I wasn't that important in my own generation, My discovery was key for some novel decryption, And I was how we cracked the hieroglyphs of Egyptian

I protect the part of you that hits the ground first. You wear me when work, sport, or a fall might hurt. I bend with your leg and cushion the impact. What am I?

In metal and hinges, I stay, Guarding secrets by night and by day. I keep things confined, With twist of a kind, When key or combo decides to play.

Two blades you should have with me to guide me, enclosed you'll feel at home. safely through rapids, don't capsize. I'm a simple aquatic palindrome.

I can so small that I'm an edible medicine. I can be so large that I'm used as a computer. I can be made of stone to hold religious law. Or I can be made of wood to help you write.