Posted by Racer on June 22, 2008, at 12:08:25
Don't ask me why this came to mind, but I thought everyone should know. Especially Sigismund.
Linear A is the first writing system to use a linear alphabet. It was developed by the Minoans sometime before 1800 BCE, and has not yet been fully deciphered. It can be partially deciphered through its similarity with Linear B.
Linear B is a later script, used by the Mycenaean Greeks. It's closely related to Linear A, and may be as simple as the Mycenaeans applying the Minoan Linear A to their Greek language, much as we apply our alphabet to other languages.
These scripts are called "linear," because they are created from lines, rather than representational writing systems, such as cuneiform and other hieroglyphic systems.
Don't ask me -- it just came to mind, and I thought I'd offer it up here as another example of the sort of useless information that crowds and clutters my brain. I describe myself as having a magpie mind -- it collects all sorts of shiny stuff...
Anyone else want to add some shiny bits?
poster:Racer
thread:835930
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20080601/msgs/835930.html