2022 marked the 70th anniversary of the decipherment of the Linear B script and the centenary of the birth of Michael Ventris, who announced its decipherment on BBC Radio on 1 July, 1952.

Ventris never published in the ABSA, but the first discoveries of the script in controlled excavations were reported in its pages by Sir Arthur Evans in 1900. Following the breakthrough of 1952, the ABSA hosted publications of new discoveries, including the first Linear B documents from excavations at Mycenae (Wace 1953). Of even greater significance is a string of interpretative contributions, such as John Killen’s pioneering article on the Knossos wool industry, articles combining archaeological and textual data, such as the BSA’s Fitch Laboratory’s work on inscribed stirrup jars (1980), or pieces examining the wider administrative context, including seals and sealing. Although Linear B was deciphered 70 years ago, the two other scripts in use on Crete (Cretan Hieroglyphic and Linear A) remain undeciphered and the ABSA has also hosted articles on the origins of those scripts on the island.

New Finds

Interpretation

Combining Archaeological and Textual Approaches

The Wider Administrative Picture

Origins