The Undeciphered Signs of Linear B: Interpretation and Scribal Practices (Cambridge Classical Studies)
Cambridge University Press, 9/24/2020
EAN 9781108494724, ISBN10: 1108494722
Hardcover, 372 pages, 25.4 x 18.4 x 2.5 cm
Language: English
Decades after Michael Ventris deciphered Linear B and showed that its language was Greek, nearly one-sixth of its syllabic signs' sound-values are still unknown. This book offers a new approach to establishing these undeciphered signs' possible values. Analysis of Linear B's structure and usage not only establishes these signs' most likely sound-values – providing the best possible basis for future decipherments – but also sheds light on the writing system as a whole. The undeciphered signs are also used to explore the evidence provided by palaeography for the chronology of the Linear B documents and the activities of the Mycenaean scribes. The conclusions presented in this book therefore deepen our understanding not only of the undeciphered signs but also of the Linear B writing system as a whole, the texts it was used to write, and the insight these documents bring us into the world of the Mycenaean palaces. A colour version of figures 5.1-5.4 of chapter 5 can be found under the 'Resources' tab.
1. The (ongoing) decipherment of Linear B
2. Identifying 'missing' values in the Linear B syllabary
3. The undeciphered signs inherited from Linear A
4. The undeciphered signs with no certain Linear A correspondences
5. Exploring the potential of palaeography with the undeciphered signs
Conclusions
Appendix
corpus of attestations of the undeciphered signs.