Aegean Linear Script(s) - Rethinking the Relationship Between Linear a and Linear B

When does a continuum become a divide? This book investigates the genetic relationship between Linear A and Linear B, two Bronze Age scripts attested on Crete and Mainland Greece and understood to have developed one out of the other. By using an interdisciplinary methodology, this research integrates linguistic, epigraphic, palaeographic and archaeological evidence, and places the writing practice in its sociohistorical setting. By challenging traditional views, this work calls into question widespread assumptions and interpretative schemes on the relationship between these two scripts, and opens up new perspectives on the ideology associated with the retention, adaptation and transmission of a script, and how identity was negotiated at a moment of closer societal interaction between Cretans and Greek-speaking Mainlanders in the Late Bronze Age. By delving deeper into the structure and inner workings of these two writing systems, this book will make us rethink the relationship between Linear A and B.

List of contents

1. Introduction and theoretical framework; 2. What does Linear A look like?; 3. What does Linear B look like?; 4. Interpretative models; 5. Overall Conclusions

About the author

Ester Salgarella is a Junior Research Fellow at St John's College, Cambridge and in the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, specialising in Bronze Age Aegean scripts.

Summary

Uses an interdisciplinary approach to throw light on the transmission process of Linear A to Linear B script, by combining structural and linguistic analyses with epigraphic, palaeographic and archaeological investigations and by placing the writing practice in its socio-historical setting. Of interest to linguists, archaeologists and historians.

Product details

• Authors: Ester Salgarella, Ester (St John's College Salgarella, Ester (St John''s College Salgarella
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.05.2022
• EAN: 9781108742672
• ISBN: 978-1-108-74267-2
• No. of pages: 436
• Series: Cambridge Classical Studies
• Subjects: Education and learning > Miscellaneous; Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative linguistics; HISTORY / Ancient / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Archaeology, Ancient World, Ancient History, Historical & comparative linguistics, Archaeology by period / region, Ancient history: to c 500 CE, Historical and comparative linguistics