Abstract
Linear A is the yet undeciphered Aegean writing system of the ancient Minoan civilization which flourished in Crete. Many attempts have been made to decipher Linear A, or connect it to a plausible language family, with limited success. The Indo-European connection to Linear A has been rigorously explored over time because of the Mycenean Greek encoded by its descendant writing system, Linear B. This paper proposes possible etymologies of place names in the Linear A script, following a hypothetical relationship to the Indo-European family of languages. We apply historical-phonetic methodologies and the comparative method in order
to analyze these plausible toponyms. Potential place names were determined using Linear B phonetic values to determine the phonetic equivalents of Linear A signs, and by examining the position of these sign clusters on various articles. This paper does not attempt to connect Linear A to a language family – rather, it explores the hypothetical connections that could be drawn, the reconstructions we could make, and aims to contribute to the current debate and discussion around Minoan toponymy.
to analyze these plausible toponyms. Potential place names were determined using Linear B phonetic values to determine the phonetic equivalents of Linear A signs, and by examining the position of these sign clusters on various articles. This paper does not attempt to connect Linear A to a language family – rather, it explores the hypothetical connections that could be drawn, the reconstructions we could make, and aims to contribute to the current debate and discussion around Minoan toponymy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Onomastics in Interaction with Other Branches of Science |
| Subtitle of host publication | Proceedings of the 27th International Congress of Onomastic Sciences (ICOS) |
| Editors | Urszula BIJAK, Paweł SWOBODA, Justyna B. WALKOWIAK |
| Place of Publication | Kraków, Poland |
| Publisher | Jagiellonian University Press |
| Pages | 405-418 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Volume | 1 (Keynote Lectures, Toponomastics) |
| Edition | 1 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-83-233-7502-9, 978-83-233-7501-2 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-83-233-5305-8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 20 Dec 2023 |
| Event | 27th International Congress of Onomastic Sciences (ICOS): ICOS Kraków 2021 - Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland Duration: 22 Aug 2021 → 27 Aug 2021 Conference number: 27 https://icos2020.ijp.pan.pl/ |
Conference
| Conference | 27th International Congress of Onomastic Sciences (ICOS) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | ICOS 2021 |
| Country/Territory | Poland |
| City | Kraków |
| Period | 22/08/21 → 27/08/21 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- Linear A
- Toponymy
- Language Deciphering
- Minoan
- Proto-Indo-European