Archives for January, 2013

The Decipherment of Linear A: HT Wa 1014-18, 1027-28

Noduli HT Wa 1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018 HT Scribe 54 HT Wa 1027, 1028 HT Scribes unknown Each of two hanging noduli, Wa 1027 and 1028, bears one sign on each of two faces; John Younger confirms a reading of either ka.si or si.ka so that the dual signs may perhaps be associated with si.ka on […]

Linear-Script Signs: U

SIGN INDEX By Numeric Reference 010 (U) | By Phonetic Value U (010) | U AB *010 uji, uji-, shi “family name, surname; clan, lineage” Comparison with the Greek /ϝ/ (digamma) arises from Richard Vallance-Janke’s comparison of AB *010 with the Latin /F/.  Both letters are phonetically associated with /v/.   In HT 117, u.di.mi may be […]

Linear-Script Signs: PTE

SIGN INDEX *= Proposed By Numeric Reference 062 (PTE) | By Phonetic Value PTE (062) | PTE B *062 pte-no | πτηνός (ptenos) | flying, winged πτερόν (pteron) | a winged creature Cf. pe-te-re-wa or pte-re-wa > πτελέα (ptelea) “an elm”, which is called “the spreading tree” and which was among the woods used in chariot-wheel […]

Linear-Script Signs: O

SIGN INDEX *= Proposed By Numeric Reference 061 (O) | By Phonetic Value O (061) | O AB *061 GEN “beginning, origin, source” NO, no, o “from, of; possessive particle” no “fountain, spring” Some interpret this sign as a throne and sceptre. However, the seeming haphazard nature of the first two LinA signs belie this […]

Linear-Script Signs: NA to NO

SIGN INDEX *= Proposed By Numeric Reference 006 (NA) | 024 (NE) | 052 (NO) | By Phonetic Value NA (006) | NE (024) | NO (052) | NA AB 006 na | 柰 (NA, NAI) | to bear, to endure naichuu | interior pillar ναός (naos) or νηός (neos) | a dwelling, a shrine, […]

Linear-Script Signs: MA

SIGN INDEX *= Proposed By Numeric Reference 080 (MA) | By Phonetic Value MA (080) | MA AB *080 MA “demon, devil, evil spirit, witch” This image has long been interpreted as a cat, which appears feasible for the first three LinA signs but loses credibility with the LinB signs, which give the impression of […]

Linear-Script Signs: KI

SIGN INDEX *= Proposed By Numeric Reference 067 (KI) | By Phonetic Value KI (067) | KI AB *067 κίλλιξ (killix) | ox with crooked horns κίλλιξ = στάμνος | earthen jar, or bottle for racking off wine (perhaps made from an ox horn). ki | 器 (KI ) | container, receptacle, vessel ki | […]

The Meanings of the Linear Script Signs

Updated on November 25, 2015 Writing systems such as LinA, LinB, and LinC use the acrophonic principle to assign phonetic values to the signs that are used to write words. An understanding of the meanings behind linear-script signs could provide much insight about the underlying cultures. The following glossary terms will be helpful when reading this post: acrophony glide kanji […]

The Decipherment of Linear A: THE Zb 6

An earthenware jug THE Scribe unknown A. he je | 瓮 (he) | an earthenware vessel for holding alcoholic beverages, etc. Notes:  This vessel may have been among the first to hold beer, which is endemic to Egyptian culture.  Moreover, this translation lends support to the third possibility for KE Zb 3. Entry added on 09 Jan […]

The Decipherment of Linear A: MY Zf 2

A Bronze Cauldron MY Scribe unknown While Mycenae is known for its LinB tablets, at least two LinA inscriptions have been found on grave goods. One of these objects is a bronze cauldron that bears a single sign on the flange of one of its handles. This appears to be the only instance in LinA […]

The Decipherment of Linear A: KE Zb 3

A course-ware cup KE Scribe unknown The Cycladic island of Kea or Keos (modern Tzia) is located 60 km (37.5 miles) southeast of Athens. During the Bronze Age, Kea was a Minoan settlement at the site now known as Aghia Irini [“Kea”].  Among this site’s LinA inscriptions is a course-ware cup that bears a single […]

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