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The oldest example of writing in The origin of the Cretan writing system lies in the extensive
use of engraved sealstones, which depict physical objects, to (possibly)
record quantities of these objects in soft clay. This forms a natural progression
to a systematic writing system. As time progresses hieroglyphic system became more stylized and
more linear. Instead of impressing sealstones in soft clay, the glyphs are
incised on the soft clay with a stylus. In addition, quantities are represented
by numerals (not multiple impressions of the same sign). As time goes on, it
appears that the linear hieroglyphic system evolved into Linear A. Linear A has roughly 90 symbols, thus most likely a syllabary
much like Linear B. However, Linear A has
resisted all attempts at decipherment because its underlying language is
still unknown and probably will remain obscure since it doesn't seem to
relate to any other surviving language in Linear B and Cypriot both exhibit considerable similarity to Linear A.
Because of its time depth, Linear A appears to be the immediate ancestor to
both of these writing systems. The following
is an image of a Linear A tablet. |
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