TL;DR
An amateur linguist and AI engineer claims to have deciphered Linear A, a script that has puzzled scholars for over a century. His findings are currently under review by experts and could reshape understanding of ancient Minoan language.
Tom Di Mino, a self-taught AI engineer and amateur linguist, claims to have deciphered Linear A, a Bronze Age Minoan script that has stumped scholars for over a century. His findings, if validated, could revolutionize understanding of ancient languages and Minoan civilization.
Di Mino’s analysis centers on a series of Linear A inscriptions, particularly prayer formulas, which he believes reveal the script’s underlying language. His work suggests Linear A encodes an extinct Semitic language, possibly a precursor to biblical Hebrew. The claims are currently being reviewed by experts at Rutgers and Cambridge, with no official confirmation yet.
Di Mino developed a systematic approach using AI tools to analyze the symbols, building on previous work with Linear B, which was deciphered in 1952 as Greek. His breakthrough came on May 22, when he identified a key sign he interpreted as a root meaning “to dwell,” linking it to Semitic roots. This led to proposed readings for 37 of the script’s 102 signs and a draft grammar of the language.
The research includes a lexicon of 383 Linear A terms translated into English, and a manuscript titled “Ya Diktu: Grammar of the Minoan Peak Sanctuary Libation Formula.” Experts are reviewing these claims, but no peer-reviewed publication has been released yet.
Potential Breakthrough in Minoan Language Decipherment
If validated, Di Mino’s decipherment could transform understanding of Minoan civilization and ancient Near Eastern linguistics. Confirming Linear A as an early Semitic language would provide new insights into the cultural and linguistic interactions in the Bronze Age Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. It could also open pathways for deciphering other undeciphered scripts.
However, the claims challenge long-held scholarly consensus, and experts emphasize the need for peer review and replication before accepting the findings as definitive. The potential impact on archaeology, history, and linguistics makes this a development to watch closely.
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Historical Background of Linear A and B
Linear A is a script used by the Minoan civilization from around 1800 BC until 1450 BC, primarily on Crete. It remains undeciphered, with scholars unsure whether it encodes a language or multiple languages. Linear B, discovered on similar artifacts, was deciphered in 1952 as an early form of Greek by Michael Ventris, with significant contributions from Alice Kober.
Linear B uses syllabic signs and logograms, and shares many symbols with Linear A. The decipherment of Linear B provided a model for understanding Minoan scripts, but Linear A has resisted similar analysis due to its limited corpus and ambiguous signs. Prior attempts to link Linear A to Semitic languages have been inconclusive, making Di Mino’s claim notable if confirmed.
“Di Mino’s approach combines AI analysis with linguistic theory, offering a promising new avenue for deciphering Linear A.”
— an anonymous researcher
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Validation and Peer Review of Di Mino’s Claims
It is not yet confirmed whether Di Mino’s decipherment will be validated by experts. The claims are currently under review at Rutgers and Cambridge, and no peer-reviewed publication has been released. The methodology and interpretations remain subject to scrutiny and replication, and some scholars remain skeptical about the conclusiveness of the findings at this stage.
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Expert Review and Publication of Findings
The next step involves peer review by linguistics and archaeology experts. Di Mino’s team plans to submit detailed findings to a scientific journal for validation. Meanwhile, scholars will analyze the proposed signs and translations, and further artifacts may be examined to test the decipherment’s accuracy. The outcome of this review will determine the potential impact on the field.
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Key Questions
Who is Tom Di Mino?
He is a self-taught AI engineer and amateur linguist based in the Hudson Valley, who claims to have deciphered Linear A.
What is Linear A?
Linear A is an ancient Minoan script used around 1800-1450 BC, which has not been deciphered and is thought to represent a language or languages of the Bronze Age Aegean.
Why is this potential decipherment important?
If confirmed, it could provide new insights into Minoan civilization, ancient Near Eastern languages, and Bronze Age cultural interactions.
Has the decipherment been officially validated?
No, the claims are currently under review by experts at Rutgers and Cambridge; peer review and replication are pending.
What are the next steps for this research?
Di Mino’s team plans to submit their findings for peer review, and experts will analyze the proposed interpretations to verify their accuracy.
Source: Hacker News
