Symbols of Minoan Hieroglyphic Script and Linear A in Melos from the Middle of 3rd Millennium BC

Two sets of vessels of the Early Cycladic period were found in 1996 and 1997 at the Rivari site of Melos Island. These sets of vessels which belong mainly to EC III (Kastri phase) are dated to the second half of the 3rd millennium (2500-2200 BC). 18 undecorated shallow bowls from these bear graved symbols that are commonly called “potter’s marks”.

These symbols are somewhat similar to the Greek capitals Λ, M, Π, N, T, X, O, but after an epigraphic study presented in this paper, based on the similarity, they can be identified with Linear A by 50% and by 50% with Cretan Hieroglyphic writing. The result of this study point to a common use of Cretan writing symbols since 2500 ΒC.

Keywords: Minoan Hieroglyphics, Linear A, Scripts, Rivari, Melos, Symbols. ©the photographic material in this article is original from the Adamantios Sampson’s archive.