Emlyn Collins

Deciphering Mediterranean Scripts: Comparisons with Linear B Emlyn Collins

The decipherment of Linear B is the most recentdecipherment of an old world script, and as such itought to provide valuable lessons to aid in thedecipherment of other undeciphered Mediterraneanscripts. This value should be further enhanced by thefact that Linear B was deciphered using modernlinguistic techniques without the aid of a bilingualkey such as was employed in the cases of Egyptianhieroglyphic and cuneiform. By studying thetechniques used in the decipherment of Linear B andanalysing their applicability to other undecipheredscripts, scholars may build upon the successfuldecipherment of Linear B and lay the groundwork forthe decipherment of further undecipheredMediterranean scripts.