linear script

views updated May 14 2018

linear script Early form of writing, found on clay tablets in Crete and Greece. Linear A was in extensive use during the middle period of the Minoan civilization (c.2100–c.1550 bc). Linear B was an adaptation of Linear A, used by the Mycenaean civilization of mainland Greece to write their early form of Greek. Linear B was used from c.1450 bc to the end of the Mycenaean period (c.1120 bc). In 1952, Michael Ventris deciphered Linear B; Linear A still defies analysis.