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Has the Phaistos Disc been deciphered?
Scientists have been trying to decipher the mysterious “Phaistos Disk” since the 4,000 year old clay disk was discovered in 1908 in Crete. Linguist Dr. Gareth Owens says he has now finally managed to decipher 99 per cent of the disc.
What does the Phaistos Disk say?
According to linguist Gareth Owens “Side Α of the disk speaks of the pregnant goddess who glows and side B contains a sentence in two lines in Minoan alliteration which refers to the goddess who grows dim; The fading of Astarte/Aphrodite/Aphaia.
Where is the Phaistos Disc now?
Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Crete
The Phaistos Disc captured the imagination of amateur and professional archaeologists, and many attempts have been made to decipher the code behind the disc’s signs….
| Phaistos Disc | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Luigi Pernier |
| Present location | Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Crete |
When was the Phaistos Disc found?
3 July 1908
The Phaistos Disc consists of fired clay and is about 15 centimeters in diameter. It was found on 3 July 1908 during excavation of the Minoan palace of Phaistos, near the south coast of Crete. The excavations, conducted by Italian archaeologists, were directed by Luigi Pernier.
Where is Crete in relation to mainland Greece?
Sitting between Asia, Africa and Europe, Crete is located around 200 miles south of mainland Greece. With an area of about 3,300 square miles, Crete is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean.
How was Linear A deciphered?
No texts in Linear A have been deciphered. The term linear refers to the fact that the script was written by using a stylus to cut lines into a tablet of clay, as opposed to cuneiform, which was written by using a stylus to press wedges into the clay.
Is Linear B deciphered?
The Linear B texts are extremely important for Greek linguistics. They represent the oldest known Greek dialect, elements of which survived in Homer’s language as a result of a long oral tradition of epic poetry. Linear B was deciphered as Greek in 1952 by Michael Ventris.
How is Crete divided?
The region is based at Heraklion and is divided into four regional units (pre-Kallikratis prefectures). From west to east these are: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, and Lasithi. These are further subdivided into 24 municipalities.
What is Crete known for?
The largest island in Greece, Crete is a diverse and vibrant land packed with ancient ruins, buzzing cities and breathtaking beaches. Many people come here for the sun, sea and sand yet the best things to do in Crete include much more than the standard package vacation.
When was Linear A deciphered?
In the 1950s, Linear B was deciphered as Mycenaean Greek….
| Linear A | |
|---|---|
| Script type | Undeciphered (presumed syllabic and ideographic) |
| Time period | MM IB to LM IIIA 1800–1450 BC |
| Status | Extinct |
| Direction | left-to-right |
When was Linear B first used?
Linear B is an adapted form of Linear A, which was borrowed from the Minoans by the Mycenaean Greeks, probably about 1600 bc. Its language is the Mycenaean Greek dialect. Linear B script is attested on clay tablets and on some vases, both dating from about 1400 bc to roughly 1200 bc.