Linear B And Related Scripts Reading The Past 4th Edition John Chadwick by John Chadwick 9780714180687, 0714180688 instant download after payment.

A NEW SCAN OF AN OLD SERIES (with OCR) - by "...and Knowledge for All"

- High quality OCR scan of the "Reading the Past" series.

READING THE PAST - Linear B and related scripts

Long before Homer a script was i n use in Greece which is quite unrelated to the alphabet. The kings of Mycenaean Greece kept their accounts on clay tablets written in a script now known as Minoan Linear B. In 1952 this was deciphered and shown to conceal an early form of the Greek language. This book tells the story of how Linear B was discovered, deciphered and interpreted, so that we can now read the administrative documents of these small prehistoric states. Two related scripts are also discussed: Linear A, the forerunner of Linear B, but used for a language which is still unknown, and a Cypriot script which, borrowed from Linear A, is equally enigmatic. Many interpretations have been put forward for these scripts but until more tablets are discovered their mystery will remain unsolved. John Chadwick was Emeritus Reader in the Greek Language in the University of Cambridge. He worked closely with Michael Ventris in the decipherment of Linear B, and was internationally recognised as a leading expert on the language and interpretation of Linear B tablets. 

With 40 illustrations.