Heraklion Archaeological Museum - CollectiveAccess System : Gold/silver objects : Gold signet ring [Χ-Α530]

Writing in Ancient Crete ➔ Gold signet ring

Χ-Α530

Metal (Gold)

Intact

Bezel diameter: 0.85-1 cm.

Knossos

Mavrospilio, Tomb IX

Middle Bronze Age. Neopalatial period, Middle Minoan ΙII period.:

1700-1600 BC:

Gallery:

Case:

Exhibition thematic unit:

Late Bronze Age - Neopalatial period (1700-1450 BC). The New Palaces. The zenith of Minoan civilisation

Linear A and cult

Description

Gold ring used as a funerary offering accompanying a high-status burial. It bears a spiral incised inscription in Linear A, a script that has not yet been deciphered. The arrangement of the inscription is comparable to that of the Phaistos Disc, as it is read from the outer edge towards the centre. The miniaturisation of the inscription is striking, perhaps indicating that the ring was a magical object.

Bibliography:

Godart, L. and J.-P. Olivier. Recueil des inscriptions en Lin?aire A. Volume 4. Paris, 1982, 152–153. Flouda, G. "Materiality of Minoan Writing: Modes of display and perception." In R.D., Whitehouse and K.E. Piquette (eds), Writing as Material Practice: Substance, surface and medium, London, 2013, 143-174.

Author:

G. F.

Photographs' metadata