DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1118#0329
SYNOPSIS OF SIGNARY OF CLASS B 681
by the tablets of Class A with those of the later Knossian series, a specimen
of one of these is given below in Fig. 715 (p. 731).
Synopsis of Signary of Linear Class B.1
The Table, Fig. 0G3 A, B, c, (opp. p. 684 below), together with the Synopsis
supplementary signs, present typical forms of characters of script noted by
me in the course of a fairly exhaustive perusal and transcription of the clay
documents of the Linear Class B.
Among the subjoined signs, the 'triangle' appears in two cases not
in ligature, but as a separate character. This sign occurs in a single instance
in Class A on a tablet from Tylissos.2 The 'loop' (No. 2) exactly cor-
responds with a variety of the Egyptian ' noose ' hieroglyph.3 Curiously
enough, parallels to both these signs recur on the inscribed L. M. Ill
' stirrup-vase ' from Orchomenos, the latter upside down.'1 No. 3 a, in all
probability a rudder, is found in a sign-group representing a personal name,5
and has a special interest from its recurrence in a variant form /;, on a
painted sherd of L. M. Ill date found in the Domestic Quarter at Knossos,6
The object greatly resembles the classical form of the rudder.
A full list might be taken to include—(1) Signs that could apparently
be used with a phonetic value as syllables or even letters, as well as in a
purely ideographic sense. (2) A certain number of ideographic characters
that fit on to these, but are not here included, and are simply pictorial
renderings of material objects like chariots and their parts. (3) A group of
signs on inventories which stand in a special connexion with numerals, and
1 It is right to mention that, pending the conclusions made in the course of my own
completion of the work on the site of Knossos, work. Differences must naturally arise, but, to
Prof. J. Sundwall, of Helsingfors, has, with the avoid controversy, I have in the present pub-
permission of the local authorities (but, so far cation relied entirely on my own researches
as Knossos is concerned, without previous con- over the whole field.
SignaryB
cert with those responsible for its archaeological
exploration), made a study of the materials in
the Candia Museum, including a large portion
of the Knossian tablets. In the Jahrhuh. d. d.
Arch. Inst,, xxx (rcjTs), p. 42 seqq., he pub-
lished a careful list of signs of Class A, and has
since dealt with Class B. Various other articles
of his on the Cretan script have also appeared.
The results independently obtained by a com-
petent student are always valuable, and these
may also help to correct errors and unwarranted
- I. Hatzidakis, TAuros Mivcouo/, p. 2r3,
Fig. ro (from my copy).
5 F. LI. Griffith, Hiemglyplts, p. 44 (Figs.
41, 43). For this simplified form he cites
Steindorff, Der Grab da Mentuhcteji, PI. Ill,
and p. 18. This, however, is not a hieroglyph.
Tire ordinary form occurs on Middle Kingdom
coffins, with or near to weapons.
* No. 4.9 in my hand list: J V m ill;.
5 See below, p. 739, Fig, 723.
e See below, p. 738, Fig. 722.
by the tablets of Class A with those of the later Knossian series, a specimen
of one of these is given below in Fig. 715 (p. 731).
Synopsis of Signary of Linear Class B.1
The Table, Fig. 0G3 A, B, c, (opp. p. 684 below), together with the Synopsis
supplementary signs, present typical forms of characters of script noted by
me in the course of a fairly exhaustive perusal and transcription of the clay
documents of the Linear Class B.
Among the subjoined signs, the 'triangle' appears in two cases not
in ligature, but as a separate character. This sign occurs in a single instance
in Class A on a tablet from Tylissos.2 The 'loop' (No. 2) exactly cor-
responds with a variety of the Egyptian ' noose ' hieroglyph.3 Curiously
enough, parallels to both these signs recur on the inscribed L. M. Ill
' stirrup-vase ' from Orchomenos, the latter upside down.'1 No. 3 a, in all
probability a rudder, is found in a sign-group representing a personal name,5
and has a special interest from its recurrence in a variant form /;, on a
painted sherd of L. M. Ill date found in the Domestic Quarter at Knossos,6
The object greatly resembles the classical form of the rudder.
A full list might be taken to include—(1) Signs that could apparently
be used with a phonetic value as syllables or even letters, as well as in a
purely ideographic sense. (2) A certain number of ideographic characters
that fit on to these, but are not here included, and are simply pictorial
renderings of material objects like chariots and their parts. (3) A group of
signs on inventories which stand in a special connexion with numerals, and
1 It is right to mention that, pending the conclusions made in the course of my own
completion of the work on the site of Knossos, work. Differences must naturally arise, but, to
Prof. J. Sundwall, of Helsingfors, has, with the avoid controversy, I have in the present pub-
permission of the local authorities (but, so far cation relied entirely on my own researches
as Knossos is concerned, without previous con- over the whole field.
SignaryB
cert with those responsible for its archaeological
exploration), made a study of the materials in
the Candia Museum, including a large portion
of the Knossian tablets. In the Jahrhuh. d. d.
Arch. Inst,, xxx (rcjTs), p. 42 seqq., he pub-
lished a careful list of signs of Class A, and has
since dealt with Class B. Various other articles
of his on the Cretan script have also appeared.
The results independently obtained by a com-
petent student are always valuable, and these
may also help to correct errors and unwarranted
- I. Hatzidakis, TAuros Mivcouo/, p. 2r3,
Fig. ro (from my copy).
5 F. LI. Griffith, Hiemglyplts, p. 44 (Figs.
41, 43). For this simplified form he cites
Steindorff, Der Grab da Mentuhcteji, PI. Ill,
and p. 18. This, however, is not a hieroglyph.
Tire ordinary form occurs on Middle Kingdom
coffins, with or near to weapons.
* No. 4.9 in my hand list: J V m ill;.
5 See below, p. 739, Fig, 723.
e See below, p. 738, Fig. 722.