29424 - Seminars (1) (LM) (G.E)

Learning outcomes

This course will guide students towards an in-depth examination of the Aegean scripts from the II millennium BC. Philological and epigraphic aspects of deciphered (Linear B) and undeciphered scripts (Cretan Hieroglyphic, Linear A, Cypro-Minoan) will be treated. Students will gain advanced skills in approaching these scripts from a palaeographical perspective, and they will be confronted with decipherment strategies and the potentiality for future progress.

Course contents

The module offers an in-depth analysis of the origins of writing in the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures, and in the broader area of the Mediterranean basin, through five strands:

A. Origins of writing. Theoretical introduction to the concept of writing and its background, its different typologies, and the pre-conditions that favour the inception of a written code.

B. Typologies of Aegean writing systems. Advanced introduction and comparative analysis of the Aegean scripts, through an examination of the characteristics of Linear B, Linear A, Cretan Hieroglyphic, Cypro-Minoan, from a multi-disciplinary perspective (archaeological context, epigraphic supports, application of inscriptions and their finality).

C. Decipherment and its potentiality. State-of-the-art on decipherment techniques and potential. Future trajectories, from palaeography to deep-learning.

D. Palaeographical analysis and philological examination of a selection of Linear A and Linear B texts. Linear systems confronted. Evolution from Linear A to B, philology and linguistic analysis.

E. Individual Directed Study

Each student will be assigned a specific tailor-made research path, which will include:

1. Two ppt/keynote presentations on specific topics, with an ad hoc bibliography. (Max 30’ for each presentation)
2. Philological examination of an Aegean writing system, chosen by the student (up to 10 inscriptions), to be presented in class.
3. One essay (up to 5000 words) on a chosen topic, focused on philological/epigraphic themes.

Readings/Bibliography

Theoretical Background

G. Cardona. 2009. Antropologia della scrittura.

Essential Introduction

J.T. Hooker. 1990, ed. Reading the past: ancient writing from cuneiform to the alphabet. London. Chapter ‘Linear B’.

J. P. Olivier. 1986. ‘Cretan writing in the second millennium B.C.’ World Archaeology 17: 377-389.

J. P. Olivier. 1990. ‘The relationship between inscriptions on hieroglyphic seals and those written on archival documents’ in T.G. Palaima (ed.) Aegean Seals, Sealings and Administration. Aegaeum 5: 11-24. Liège.

T.G. Palaima. 1989. ‘Ideograms and Supplementals and Regional Interaction among Aegean and Cypriote Scripts’, Minos 24: 29-54.

I. Schoep. 1999. ‘The origins of writing and administration in Crete’ Oxford Journal of Archaeology 18: 265-276.

Linear B

J. Chadwick. 1958. The Decipherment of Linear B. Cambridge.

S. Ferrara 2010. ‘Mycenaean Texts: the Linear B Tablets’. In E. Bakker ed. Blackwell Companion to the Ancient Greek Language: 11-24.

J.T. Hooker. 1991. Linear B. An Introduction. Bristol.

Linear A

Dispense fornite dal docente. Testi tratti dal corpus di iscrizioni in lineare A:

L.Godart and J.-P. Olivier, Recueil des inscriptions en Linéaire A. Études Crétoises 21, vols. 1-5. (Paris,1976-1985, disponibile anche online [http://cefael.efa.gr/result.php?site_id=1&serie_id=EtCret] ).

B. Davis. 2014. Minoan Stone Vessels with Linear A Inscriptions. Aegaeum, 36. Leuven; Liège.

Cypro-Minoan

S. Ferrara. 2012. Cypro-Minoan Inscriptions. Analysis. Oxford. Volume 1.

S. Ferrara and M. Valério. 2017. ‘Contexts and Repetitions of Cypro-Minoan Inscriptions: Function and Subject-Matter of the Clay Balls’, Bulletin of the American School of Oriental Research. 2017: 71-94.

E. Masson. 1974. Cyprominoica. Répertoires, Documents de Ras Shamra, Essais d’Interpretation. Göteborg: SIMA 31.2.

Cretan Hieroglyphic

R. Decorte, 2017. ‘Cretan Hieroglyphic and the Nature of Script’. In P.M. Steele ed. Understanding Relations between Scripts. Oxford.

T.G. Palaima. 1990, ed. Aegean Seals, Sealings and Administration. Aegaeum 5: 11-24. Liège. Solo capitoli sul geroglifico cretese.

H. Tomas, 2010. 'Cretan Hieroglyphic and Linear A'. In E. Cline ed. The Oxford Handbook of the Bronze Age Aegean: 340-355. Chapter 27 only.

Teaching methods

All classes are seminar-based, with direct participation from the students, who will present specific topics in class and write a short essay. Every lecture will be complemented with further bibliography.

Assessment methods

Assessment revolves around:

1. A final oral exam.
2. Assessment throughout the course on the individual directed study (E Directed Study: 1, 2, 3, supra).

Teaching tools

All lectures are on ppt/keynote.

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Ferrara