Aegean linear script(s) : rethinking the relationship between Linear A and Linear B
When does a 'continuum' become a divide? My research investigates the genetic relationship between Linear A and Linear B (henceforth LA, LB), two Bronze Age scripts attested on Crete and Mainland Greece and understood to have developed one straight out of the other. By using an interdisciplinary methodology, I integrated linguistic, epigraphic, palaeographic and archaeological evidence, and placed the writing practice in its socio-historical setting. By challenging traditional views, my work has called into question widespread assumptions and interpretative schemes on this relationship. I carried out a systematic assessment of the structural characteristics underlying both systems and a palaeographic examination of their sign inventories. Built on these analyses, I put forward a more fluid model of script development, which takes LA and LB no longer as two separate scripts but as the very same one: the 'Aegean Linear Script'. Over time, this underwent only minimal adaptation when required to meet the needs of another language, arguably in view of the changing socio-political context. This new interpretation is in sharp contrast with the view traditionally held of a strong standardisation process having taken
Salgarella, Ester
Linear B ; Mycenaean Epigraphy ; Linear A ; Bronze Age Aegean Scripts ; Aegean Archaeology
Aegean linear script(s) : rethinking the relationship between Linear A and Linear B. When does a 'continuum' become a divide? My research investigates the genetic relationship between Linear A and Linear B (henceforth LA, LB), two Bronze Age scripts attested on Crete and Mainland Greece and understood to have developed one straight out of the other. By using an interdisciplinary methodology, I integrated linguistic, epigraphic, palaeographic and archaeological evidence, and placed the writing practice in its socio-historical setting. By challenging traditional views, my work has called into question widespread assumptions and interpretative schemes on this relationship. I carried out a systematic assessment of the structural characteristics underlying both systems and a palaeographic examination of their sign inventories. Built on these analyses, I put forward a more fluid model of script development, which takes LA and LB no longer as two separate scripts but as the very same one: the 'Aegean Linear Script'. Over time, this underwent only minimal adaptation when required to meet the needs of another language, arguably in view of the changing socio-political context. This new interpretation is in sharp contrast with the view traditionally held of a strong standardisation process having taken
aegean linear script rethink relationship linear linear become divide investigates genetic relationship linear linear henceforth bronze_age script attest crete mainland_greece understood develop other use interdisciplinary integrated linguistic epigraphic archaeological_evidence place write practice socio_historical setting challenge_traditional view work call_question widespread assumption interpretative scheme relationship carry systematic assessment structural characteristic underlie system examination sign inventory built analysis put_forward fluid model script development take longer two_separate script aegean linear script time underwent minimal adaptation require meet_need another_language arguably view change socio_political context new_interpretation sharp_contrast view traditionally hold strong standardisation process take