Linear B

Chadwick, J. 1958. The Decipherment of Linear B, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. In this article, Chadwick’s discussion is two-fold: I. Interpretation of the Linear B tablet founded in Crete. II. When the Minoan script of Linear A became extinct. As suggested in this article, Evans hypothesises the script of Linear B was a modified form of the Minoan script Linear A. Thus, this article deduces that the decipherment of Linear B is the most important piece of archaeological evidence for the argument of a Mycenaean invasion, as it is generally believed it replaced the pre-existing Linear A script. Cline, E. H. 2010. The Oxford Handbook of the Bronze Age Aegean (ca. 3000-1000BC), New York, Oxford University Press. In this article Cline…

Linear B is a syllabic script that was used for writing Mycenaean Greek, the earliest confirmed form of Greek. The script predates the Greek alphabet by several centuries. The oldest Mycenaean writing dates to about 1450 BC. It is descended from the older Linear A, an undeciphered earlier script used for writing the Minoan language. It is also the only one of the three "Linears" to be deciphered, by English architect and self-taught linguist Michael Ventris. The script was discovered by…

Studying the linguistic anthropology of the Minoans’ language is very difficult for anthropologists due to the lack of information of Linear A. Until these days, scientists still do not know much about the Minoans’ culture (“an integrated system of beliefs, traditions, and customs that govern or influence a person’s behavior. Culture is learned, shared by members of a group, and based on the ability to think in terms of symbols” (Kelly p19)). Linear A is similar to Linear B that the Greek uses,…

Knossos is located in Crete, on the largest island off the coast of Greece, 5 kilometers southeast of the city of Heraklion (1). Being nestled within a valley near the river of Kairatos, the river currently flows only partly year-round (1). Yet, during Minoan times when the site was inhabited, the river flowed constantly. Knossos used to be surrounded with cypress and oak trees but has since been turned into acres of vineyards and olive trees (1). Knossos was established during the Bronze Age…

Mycenae is the Lions Gate, the threshold positioned so that invading troops became vulnerable and exposed. The sheer size of the horizontal lintel perched above is incredible and humanly diminishing. (P5) The rectangular Megaron has a central courtyard, a vestibule, and covered porticos. Contrasting to Knossos, Mycenae lacked any ventilation nor allowed sunlight into the citadel, leaving the fortress dark and the air became static. Another difference from Knossos was the frescos painted at…

1. The Bronze Age Civilization of the Aegean took place during ca. 3000-1200 B.C.E This time period consisted of two civilizations, the Minoan (ca. 2000-1400 B.C.E.) and the Mycenaean (ca. 1600-1200 B.C.E). On the island of Crete, the Minoan civilization was centered in the palace of Minos at Knossos. This culture was thriving and traveled by sea quiet often. The palace consisted of frescoes demonstrating numerous aspect of Cretan life. Of all the frescoes in the palace the most recognized is…

Minoan seal and fresco repertoire, but as they progressed as a civilization, they emphasized only the qualities that best suited them as wealthy, refined warrior elites. Floral and foliate motifs, beautifully gowned women, scenes of war, and spiraliform designs attest to their appetite for beautiful accoutrements. (Cambridge Companion, pg. 260) However, they didn’t take up Minoan images like “pulling the tree” or “kneeling the boulder”, possibly appealing more to the aspect of the natural world.…

The Bronze Age in the Mediterranean Grecian regions was a time for exploration and war, trade and commerce, and ingenuity. Two monumental cultures with the evident demise influenced one another through economy, architecture, and logogram. The Minoans originated on the island of Crete, and their palace and administrative center titled Knossos. The Mycenaean culture, on the other hand, flourished on the mainland of Greece, in the palaces of Pylos and Mycenae. Both cultures thrived from maritime…

The immense history of Greece could not be possible for the impressive and influential city-states located throughout the regions. Mycenae, Knossos, and Troy are three revered and questioned palatial sites that operated in similar and opposing ways. In the late 1800s, three archaeologists excavated their ways into the history books. Sir Arthur Evans became recognized as the British archaeologist who uncovered the palace at Knossos, on the island of Crete in the Aegean Sea. Heinrich Schliemann…

The Minoan Palace and the Micenaean Citadel both have walls that protect them. However, they are both very distinct. Minoan Chronology has two main periods. The “old palace” period lasted from about 1900 to 1700 BCE while the “New Palace” period started around 1700 and it lasted until 1450 BCE. Sir Arthur Evans excavated the complex at Knossos in 1900 CE. The walls of the palace are practically earthquake-proof while the lower walls have dressed stone. Minoans created all kinds of extravagant…