Are the Minoan Linear A PK Za 4–PK Za 18 libation invocations in Anatolian proto-Greek?

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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.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationOttawa, Canada
PublisherKonoso Press
Number of pages108
Volume1
Edition1
ISBN (Print)978-0-9868289-3-5
Publication statusPublished - 10 Dec 2025

Keywords

  • Linear A
  • Language Deciphering
  • Crypto-linguistics
  • Language Decipherment
  • Minoan

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