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January 13, 2004
Isthmian
A whopping 400-character mask inscriptian dating from the late Mayan pre-classic or early classic period appears to refute earlier claims to have translated Isthmian, or late-Olmec, script. While disappointing for epigraphy fans, the find adds 101 characters to the Isthmian syllabary and should represent a step toward retrieving Olmec history.
Controversy remains about the people who populated what is now Mexico and northern Guatemala prior to the Maya. Little is known about their way of life and system of government, areas that an understanding of a writing system of the period would illuminate.
�This is one of a very small class of undeciphered writing systems,� said Houston. �They tend to be windows into ancient mentalities and ancient worlds, so if you could just open the veil you could see through to a level of detail about these people that just wouldn�t have been possible before.�
Although many thousands of languages were spoken in antiquity, the number of writing systems is much smaller � roughly 100. Some of those remain undecipherable, like Rongorongo, found on Easter Island, and Indus, the writing of the ancient people of what are now Pakistan and India.
�This is one of a very small class of undeciphered writing systems,� said Houston. �They tend to be windows into ancient mentalities and ancient worlds, so if you could just open the veil you could see through to a level of detail about these people that just wouldn�t have been possible before.�
Although many thousands of languages were spoken in antiquity, the number of writing systems is much smaller � roughly 100. Some of those remain undecipherable, like Rongorongo, found on Easter Island, and Indus, the writing of the ancient people of what are now Pakistan and India.
Many Flea-readers will be familiar with Rongorongo, the writing system favoured at the sunken horror of R'lyeh.
Ph'hglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh Wgah'nagl fhtan!
Posted by Ghost of a flea at January 13, 2004 09:03 AM
