Structural Research on Linear B Ideograms and Abbreviations

The Mycenaean ideograms constitute, without doubt, an integrating component of the Linear B script underscoring the administrative function of these tablets. In these texts, which are dominated by the syllabic words, the ideograms represent an explicit guideline by indicating the relevant object of the economic registration. Consequently, they facilitate the classification of the tablets as regards their content. Despite their importance concerning the structure and the interpretation of these texts this neglected area of the Linear B script has not received any major and systematic interest for over 25 years. Thus, a detailed methodical analysis which aims to comprehend the phenomenon of the Mycenaean ideograms in its entirety represents an urgent desideratum. In particular, this applies against the background of the integrating significance of the ideograms for the Linear B script. Within the scope of the proposed project all ideograms and abbreviations and the compilation of further relevant data will be recorded electronically. On this basis a critical evaluation of the conclusions so far drawn and a detailed analysis of the ideograms are planned. Particular consideration will be spent on the design of a precise terminology and a basic discussion about the origin of the ideograms from relating Minoan scripts and the influence of these scripts on the development and the use of the ideograms in Linear B. Further main aspects comprise a basic review of the respective prerequisites for the suggested identifications, a detailed examination of the mutual correlations of the ideograms and their contexts as well as an exact evaluation of the numerical units. Another main focus lies in the analysis of the formation, use and function of the ligatures, adjuncts, monograms and abbreviations. A critical analysis of function regarding these subjects in their entirety will decisively enrich the current level of knowledge about structure and formation of Linear B. This research, although going far beyond a lexicographic compilation, includes an application as a lexical tool, which does not exist at present and will be of great advantage for the text interpretation of the Linear B tablets. Due to the importance of the written sources for the appraisal of the Late Bronze Age on Crete and the Greek mainland it is to be assumed that a systematic analysis and detailed commentary of the Mycenaean ideograms will also serve future studies on archaeological, historical, historical economical and linguistic subjects that go beyond the actual domain of Linear B. Additionally, the topic has both practical implications for our understanding of Mycenaean society, and also epistemological and theoretical implications concerning how ideas are represented and manipulated by the scribes who wrote the documents.

The Mycenaean ideograms constitute, without doubt, an integrating component of the Linear B script underscoring the administrative function of these tablets. In these texts, which are dominated by the syllabic words, the ideograms represent an explicit guideline by indicating the relevant object of the economic registration. Consequently, they facilitate the classification of the tablets as regards their content. Despite their importance concerning the structure and the interpretation of these texts this neglected area of the Linear B script has not received any major and systematic interest for over 25 years. Thus, a detailed methodical analysis which aims to comprehend the phenomenon of the Mycenaean ideograms in its entirety represents an urgent desideratum. In particular, this applies against the background of the integrating significance of the ideograms for the Linear B script. Within the scope of the proposed project all ideograms and abbreviations and the compilation of further relevant data will be recorded electronically. On this basis a critical evaluation of the conclusions so far drawn and a detailed analysis of the ideograms are planned. Particular consideration will be spent on the design of a precise terminology and a basic discussion about the origin of the ideograms from relating Minoan scripts and the influence of these scripts on the development and the use of the ideograms in Linear B. Further main aspects comprise a basic review of the respective prerequisites for the suggested identifications, a detailed examination of the mutual correlations of the ideograms and their contexts as well as an exact evaluation of the numerical units. Another main focus lies in the analysis of the formation, use and function of the ligatures, adjuncts, monograms and abbreviations. A critical analysis of function regarding these subjects in their entirety will decisively enrich the current level of knowledge about structure and formation of Linear B. This research, although going far beyond a lexicographic compilation, includes an application as a lexical tool, which does not exist at present and will be of great advantage for the text interpretation of the Linear B tablets. Due to the importance of the written sources for the appraisal of the Late Bronze Age on Crete and the Greek mainland it is to be assumed that a systematic analysis and detailed commentary of the Mycenaean ideograms will also serve future studies on archaeological, historical, historical economical and linguistic subjects that go beyond the actual domain of Linear B. Additionally, the topic has both practical implications for our understanding of Mycenaean society, and also epistemological and theoretical implications concerning how ideas are represented and manipulated by the scribes who wrote the documents.