Projects per year
Abstract
Are the Minoan Linear A PK Za 4–PK Za 18 libation invocations in Anatolian protoGreek? Surprisingly, yes. Moreover, as the most intact of all the Minoan Linear A libation invocation tablets, PK Za 11 (HM 1341) fittingly serves as a suitable template for the decipherment of several other relatively intact Minoan Linear A libation invocations, notably, PK Za 8, PK Za 12 (HM 941), IO Za 2 (HM 3557), KN Zc 7 (HM 2629) and TL Za 1 (marble ladle, HM 1545), with relevant observations on multiple Minoan Linear A terms in other libation invocations, partially or mostly fragmented, notably PK Za 4, PK Za 14, PK Za 15, PR Za 1, PR Za 1, AR Zf 1, bronze axe, AR Zf 2, silver axe, KN Ze 16 and Sy Za 1. Cognate cuneiform Luwian terms and phrases, often embedded in Hittite texts, sometimes migrate in altered orthography adapted to the Minoan Linear A syllabary. Conclusion: the language of the Minoan Linear A libation invocations, whether largely or partially intact, or even in some instances, largely fragmented, is ostensibly none other than Anatolian proto-Greek (basilect), an aggregate of (a) its synchronous
adstrate cousins, with cognate loanwords derived from cuneiform Anatolian Hittite (acrolect), and Luwian (mesolect), and (b) simultaneously an entirely distinctive, novel new language, proto-Greek, much of its vocabulary consisting of non-Anatolian neologisms, whereby qualifying it as the earliest de facto Greek dialect on record, appearing in Crete ca. 1700 – 1450 BCE, shortly before the advent of Mycenaean Linear B (1600 – 1450 BCE) in Crete, and at Mycenae and Pylos.
adstrate cousins, with cognate loanwords derived from cuneiform Anatolian Hittite (acrolect), and Luwian (mesolect), and (b) simultaneously an entirely distinctive, novel new language, proto-Greek, much of its vocabulary consisting of non-Anatolian neologisms, whereby qualifying it as the earliest de facto Greek dialect on record, appearing in Crete ca. 1700 – 1450 BCE, shortly before the advent of Mycenaean Linear B (1600 – 1450 BCE) in Crete, and at Mycenae and Pylos.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Place of Publication | Ottawa, Canada |
| Publisher | Konoso Press |
| Number of pages | 108 |
| Volume | 1 |
| Edition | 1 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-0-9868289-3-5 |
| Publication status | Published - 10 Dec 2025 |
Keywords
- Linear A
- Language Deciphering
- Crypto-linguistics
- Language Decipherment
- Minoan
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Giving Voice to the Minoan People: The Decipherment of Linear A
1/01/18 → 31/08/21
Project: Internal Research Project
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Glossary of Terminology: Historical Linguistics
Vallance Janke, R. & PERONO CACCIAFOCO, F., 15 Dec 2025, 1 ed. Ottawa (Canada): Konoso Press. 30 p.Research output: Book/Report/Edited volume › Book › peer-review
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Ma dure vie de casseur de glyphes ou pourquoi je ne serai jamais Champollion
PERONO CACCIAFOCO, F., 24 Aug 2025, 1 p. Paris : Groupe Le Monde.Translated title of the contribution :My Hard Life as a Glyph-breaker, or Why I'll Never Be Champollion Research output: Other contribution › peer-review
Open Access -
Minoan and the Machines: Computational Approaches to the Decipherment of Linear A
MANOJ, P. & PERONO CACCIAFOCO, F., 18 Feb 2025, In: Analele Universitatii din Craiova - Seria Stiinte Filologice, Lingvistica. 46, 1-2, p. 154-164 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
Activities
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Decoding the lost scripts of the ancient world
PERONO CACCIAFOCO, F. (Participant)
16 Dec 2025Activity: Other
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Clusters and Syllabo-logographical Classification Models in Linear A/B Tablets: Lexical and Visual Analogies for a More Comprehensive Study of Their Properties and Advanced Bronze Age Trading-diplomatical Correspondences
PERONO CACCIAFOCO, F. (Invited speaker) & SOLCÀ, A. (Invited speaker)
23 Oct 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Presentation at conference/workshop/seminar
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Giving Back to the Minoan People Their Own Voice: How to Be Awarded with a Research Grant on Language Deciphering and Successfully Manage It
PERONO CACCIAFOCO, F. (Keynote speaker)
17 Oct 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk