DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.807#0665
M. M. Ill: LINEAR SCRIPT A AND ITS SACRAL USAGE 619
Period. One of these is shown in Fig. 455, a. It appears to have been of
the typical square shape, and the inscription is perfect with the exception of
the initial sign. It is interesting from the occurrence here for the first time
of the balance, so well represented on the tablets of Class B, belonging to
the later Palace, where it is repeatedly associated with the ingot sign.1
It is also found on the later tablets of Class A at Hagia Triada. The
balance is here accompanied by vertical strokes = 3 and a compound sign
followed by numerals = 5. This compound sign consists of |- reversed,
coupled with another in the shape of a fore-arm and open hand. The |- 2
accompanied by numbers also occurs on a Knossian tablet of the later
class above the ino-ot siom,3 and had therefore some relation to weight
a b 1 b 2
Fig. 455, a, b 1, b 2. Tablets from Corridor by S.E. Insula.
or value. But, in such a relation, the hand sign with which it is linked may
naturally be interpreted as having a fractional signification parallel to that
indicated by the Greek SpaxM or 'handful '. That the Minoans possessed 'Talent'
a system of weights in which the balance or ' talent'—the Greek toKclvtov— ^Drachu
formed a higher unit is clear. From this tablet we may infer that there was Signs,
also a Minoan ' drachm '.
With this was found part of another tablet inscribed on both sides and
apparently of similar form (Fig. 455, b 1, b 2). The hand and arm here recurs
in ligature in the penultimate sign of b 2 : it is probable the four small marks
repeated here after the final character represent tens. On the third line
of b 1 we see the same sign that terminates the inscription of the Repository
jar already referred to, associated, as there, with three upright strokes
1 See on this my Minoan Weights and
Currency (Corolla Numismatic a), p. 361 seqq.
2 This is the Cypriote syllabic sign for ta.
3 Op. cit., p. 356, Fig. 11, 2.
Period. One of these is shown in Fig. 455, a. It appears to have been of
the typical square shape, and the inscription is perfect with the exception of
the initial sign. It is interesting from the occurrence here for the first time
of the balance, so well represented on the tablets of Class B, belonging to
the later Palace, where it is repeatedly associated with the ingot sign.1
It is also found on the later tablets of Class A at Hagia Triada. The
balance is here accompanied by vertical strokes = 3 and a compound sign
followed by numerals = 5. This compound sign consists of |- reversed,
coupled with another in the shape of a fore-arm and open hand. The |- 2
accompanied by numbers also occurs on a Knossian tablet of the later
class above the ino-ot siom,3 and had therefore some relation to weight
a b 1 b 2
Fig. 455, a, b 1, b 2. Tablets from Corridor by S.E. Insula.
or value. But, in such a relation, the hand sign with which it is linked may
naturally be interpreted as having a fractional signification parallel to that
indicated by the Greek SpaxM or 'handful '. That the Minoans possessed 'Talent'
a system of weights in which the balance or ' talent'—the Greek toKclvtov— ^Drachu
formed a higher unit is clear. From this tablet we may infer that there was Signs,
also a Minoan ' drachm '.
With this was found part of another tablet inscribed on both sides and
apparently of similar form (Fig. 455, b 1, b 2). The hand and arm here recurs
in ligature in the penultimate sign of b 2 : it is probable the four small marks
repeated here after the final character represent tens. On the third line
of b 1 we see the same sign that terminates the inscription of the Repository
jar already referred to, associated, as there, with three upright strokes
1 See on this my Minoan Weights and
Currency (Corolla Numismatic a), p. 361 seqq.
2 This is the Cypriote syllabic sign for ta.
3 Op. cit., p. 356, Fig. 11, 2.