BIBLIOTHÈQUE DES CAHIERS DE L'INSTITUT

DE LINGUISTIQUE DE LOUVAIN -120

A Companion to Linear B 
Mycenaean Greek Texts and their World

VOLUME  1 

edited  by 

Yves  DUHOUX  
and  
Anna MORPURGO  DAVIES  

PEETERS
LOUVAIN-LA-NEUVE - DUDLEY, MA
2008 
 CRAPTER 3 

CHRONOLOGY OF THE LINEAR B TEXTS* 
Jan DRlESSEN  
Université Catholique de Louvain  

Table 3.1:  Aegean Relative and Absolute Chronology,  based on  WARREN-

HANKEY 1989, 169. 

Crete  Mainland 
Late Minoan/Helladic II  1425­1390  1440­1390 
Late Minoan/Helladic IlIA  1390-1340/1330 1390-1340/1330
Late Minoan/Helladic IIIB  1340/1330-ca 1190 134011330-1180
Late MinoanlHelladic Ille ca 1190-ca 1070 1180­1065 

§  3.1.  INTRODUCTION 

Dating the tablets that carry the Linear B script is  of course an entirely dif-
ferent  matter  from  dating  the  language  and  the  evolution  of the  script,  two 
activities which belong in  the  domains of linguistics and palaeography respec-
tively.  Since  our  tablets  only  occasionally  contain  chronological  references 
such  as  'in the  month  of.. . . '  or  'last  year'  their content  is  practically  useless 
when it cornes to placing them in a general time frame.  Here only archaeology 
provides a clue,  not only  because we  can investigate the date  of the  buildings 
where  the  tablets  were  found,  but  also  because  sorne  of the  logograms  and 
descriptions  featuring  in  the  tablets  can  be  compared  with  objects  found  in 
excavations  and  dated  either stratigraphically  or stylistically  (Idéogrammes;
DRIESSEN  1990,  131). The following review presents sorne recent observations 
on the chronology of Linear B tablets. But, although there is general agreement 
that the  13lh  century Be represents the apogee of the  use of Linear B,  there  is 
serious  discussion  about  the  chronology  of  the  individual  Linear  B  tablet 
deposits, especially those found at Knossos, and about the date of the creation 

'"  The editors received the first  version of this chapter in  Novernber, 2001. 

70  J.  DRIESSEN  § 3.2  § 3.2 CHRONOLO<

of the  script.  Despite  long­time  belief that  aU  Linear B  tablets  belong  to  the  at Knossos indeed inc1uded lat€
same,  limited, chronological  time  span,  recent research  has  made it  c1ear that  tablets to early Late Minoan Il
in most Mainland  sites (Pylos,  Mycenae, Thebes), Linear B tablets  were  used  same time, J.-P. Olivier exami
over a  long period, which belonged to  more than one destruction phase of the  noting that sorne tablets, inscrit
relevant palaces. Consequently it is very likely that a similar thing happened at  different areas of the palace (Sc
Knossos.  trophe to be preserved, this ｩｭｾ＠
building and what was called 1

Despite Palmer's objections, th

§ 3.2.  KNOSSOS  Aegean scholars till the end of Il
Erik Hallager restudied the evidc
The  chronology  of the  ca 3500  Knossos  Linear  B  tablets  and  fragments  destruction of the palace at Km
remains one of the most controversial points in Mycenology and to understand  posing a date around 1300 BC (
this,  we  have  to  go  back  to  the  discovery  of the  very  first  tablets  by  Arthur  same time, scientific analyses 01
Evans, in the Spring of the year 1900 (DRIESSEN  1990). Tablets, in various states  ter 8 below), mostly found in LI
of preservation,  were excavated in many rooms  of the palace  and  at different  showed that many of these wel1
levels above the ground floor (DRIESSEN  1997). After the first campaign, Evans  western regions of the island (C
placed  the  destruction  of the  palace  of Knossos  and  its  contents  in  the  Late  literacy on Crete continued dur
Minoan II phase  (ca 1420­1400 BC),  a  conclusion he reached because of the  sorne of the vase inscriptions we
discovery of a fair number of so­caUed  'Palace Style' sherds in the destruction  PALAIMA 1984). In 1989 a Lim
layer (EVANS  1900). He realised that sorne parts of the Knossos palace remained  was found in Chania, ancient K
in  use afterwards,  du ring Late Minoan IIIB  (13 th century BC) but this  seemed  tablets in 1990; aIl of them beII
to  have  been  largely  for religious  reasons.  According to  Evans  the  occupants  Minoan IIIB1, around 1300 BI
settled  only  in  certain  are as  of the  ruined  palace  which  they  patched  up  and  1992). Palaeographic examinati,
were  labelled  'squatters'.  Evans's  view  remained  unchallenged  till  the  1950s,  one of these Chania tablets aI
despite  the  discovery of Linear B  tablets  in  the Late  Helladic  III  ruins  of the  1993). Although there do not Sl
palace at Pylos  in  1939. The decipherment of Linear B by Michael  Ventris  in  same scribe was responsible for
1952  and  its  identification  as  Greek,  in  part based on  these  newly  excavated  OLIVIER 1996), it should follov
tablets of Pylos, made several archaeologists question Evans' chronology. Carl  Knossos tablets were relatively
Blegen, excavator of Pylos, as  early as  1958 suggested that, since the tablets of  SEN 2000). For those who ace
Knossos and Pylos were identical in many aspects, they were probably contem- implied that, if one Knossos tat
porary and dated them to Late Helladic IIIB, a date that was later modified to Knossos necessarily belonged tl
early Late Helladic mc, around 1190 BC (BLEGEN 1958). This belief was taken challenged by the present authc
over by Leonard Palmer, professor of comparative philology at Oxford, who deposits in the Knossos palace,
for the next three decades vigorously defended a late date, around 1200 BC, not West Wing, was entirely isolatl
only for the destruction of the Knossos palace and its tablets, but also for the and next stressed the many dil
construction of the last palace at this site (PALMER 1969). Evans' point of view Knossos (DRIESSEN 1997; 1ｾ＠
was mainly defended in the sixties by J. Boardman, seconded by Mervyn Popham, The Room of the Chariot 1
an archaeologist and ceramic specialist who went through the sherds of Evans' s (DRIESSEN 2000). Archaeologi(
excavations, stored at Knossos (PALMER - BOARDMAN 1963). Boardman and were stratified before those fou
Popham observed that the pottery from the main destruction layer in the palace sealings found together with 1
 §3.2 § 3.2 CHRONOLOGY OF THE LINEAR B TEXTS 71

1 Linear B tablets belong to the at Knossos indeed included later elements and modified Evans's date for the
t research has made it c1ear that tablets to early Late Minoan IIIA2, around 1375 BC (POPHAM 1970). At the
:les), Linear B tablets were used same time, J.-P. Olivier examined the palaeography of the Knossos tablets,
lan one destruction phase of the noting that sorne tablets, inscribed by one and the same scribe, were found in
that a similar thing happened at different areas of the palace (Scribes Cnossos). Since tablets need a fire catas-
trophe to be preserved, this implied a single destruction horizon for the entire
building and what was called 'a unity of archives' (already HOOKER 1964).
Despite Palmer's objections, the early LM IIIA2 date was accepted by most
Aegean scholars lill the end ofthe seventies (POPHAM 1997). In 1977, however,
Erik: Hallager restudied the evidence for a Late Minoan IIIB occupation and fire
.inear B tablets and fragments destruction of the palace at Knossos and again challenged the early date, pro-
Mycenology and to understand posing a date around 1300 BC (early LM IIIB) (HALLAGER 1977). At about the
the very first tablets by Arthur same time, scientific analyses of stirrup jars inscribed with Linear B (cf. Chap-
1990). Tablets, in various states ter 8 below), mostly found in Late Helladic IIIB contexts on Mainland Greece,
s of the palace and at different showed that many of these were actually produced on Crete, especially in the
After the first campaign, Evans western regions ofthe island (CATLING et alii 1980). This implied that Linear B
)8 and its contents in the Late literacy on Crete continued during Late Minoan IIIB, even if it was clear that
sion he reached because of the sorne of the vase inscriptions were applied by illiterate painters (BENNETT 1986;
Style' sherds in the destruction PALAIMA 1984). In 1989 a Linear B tablet dealing with chariot wheels, Sq l,
of the Knossos palace remained was found in Chania, ancient Kydonia in West-Crete, foIlowed by three more
th century BC) but this seemed tablets in 1990; aIl of them belonged to a clear destruction layer dated to Late
ording to Evans the occupants Minoan IIIB1, around 1300 BC (HALLAGER - VLASAKIS - HALLAGER 1990;
ce which they patched up and 1992). Palaeographic examination has shown a great similarity between at least
:d unchallenged tiIl the 1950s, one of these Chania tablets and the tablets by Knossos hand 115 (OLIVIER
Late Helladic III ruins of the 1993). Although there do not seem to be sufficient reasons to assume that the
,inear B by Michael Ventris in same scribe was responsible for the records found at both sites (PALAIMA 1995;
sed on these newly excavated OLIVIER 1996), it should follow from this similarity that at least sorne of the
:stion Evans' chronology. Carl Knossos tablets were relatively close in date to those found at Chania (DRIES-
gested that, since the tablets of SEN 2000). For those who accepted the 'unity of archives' hypothesis, this
:s, they were probably contem- implied that, if one Knossos tablet was firmly dated, aIl Linear B records from
late that was later modified to Knossos necessarily belonged to the same period. However this hypothesis was
iN 1958). This beHef was taken challenged by the present author, who first showed that one of the major tablet
ive philology at Oxford, who deposits in the Knossos palace, that of the Room of the Chariot Tablets in the
late date, around 1200 BC, not West Wing, was entirely isolated from the remaining tablets (DRIESSEN 1990),
nd its tablets, but also for the and next stressed the many differences within the other record collections at
R 1969). Evans' point of view Knossos (DRIESSEN 1997; 1999).
seconded by Mervyn Popham, The Room of the Chariot Tablets is indeed an awkward Linear B deposit
through the sherds of Evans' s (DRIESSEN 2000). Archaeologically there are sorne indications that the tablets
mMAN 1963). Boardman and were stratified before those found in the surrounding areas. Moreover, the clay
jestruction layer in the palace sealings found together with the tablets are of a type that may have sealed
72 J. DRIESSEN § 3.3 § 3.4-5 CHRONOL<

parchment, a practice quite common in earlier Minoan times, but otherwise apparently found in a Late MiJ
absent from Mycenaean Knossos (DRIESSEN 1990). The palaeography of the BC), whereas others are eithel
Room of the Chariot Tablets is also quite different from that observed else- DRIESSEN 1996). Only two va
where at Knossos and certain signs recall Minoan Linear A examples. Sorne (Z 19-22). A complete inscribe
words too possibly betray Minoan influences. None of the scribes responsible tomb 146 of the cemetery of
for records found in the deposit worked elsewhere in the palace and none of ably rather early within this pe:
the people mentioned can securely be linked to homonyms elsewhere in the 1124); this is also the case f,
compound. Sorne texts are so awkward that Chadwick once suggested that they found in Quartier Nu at Malia
were scribal exercises (CHADWICK 1967) but aIl anomalies can be explained if ing (FARNOUX - DRIESSEN 199
one accepts that the Room of the Chariot Tablets represented the remains of an at Amnisos (SCHÂFER 1992).
earlier archive stratified on the occasion of one of the fire destructions that Mamelouko cave in West Cre!
damaged the Knossos palace during the Late Bronze Age; as a working hypoth-
esis, an early LM IIIAI date was suggested (DRIESSEN 1990). A similar, inter-
disciplinary approach also helped to illustrate the relative isolation of the large § 3.4. PYLOS
tablet deposit found in the Northem Entrance Passage of the palace (DRlESSEN
1997; 1999). Indeed, the palaeography and epigraphical practices of the tablets The palace of Nestor yield,
found in the latter area also show a fair number of idiosyncracies but sorne fea- about 147 sealings but, apart
tures link the documents to texts found elsewhere in the compound (DRlESSEN stirrup jars (DRIESSEN 1996). 1
1999). Moreover, Evans had already noted that sorne tablets had ended up inside destruction layer of the paiaci
sorne wans and floors (Scribes Cnossos, 118-119), which clearly implies that the the stylistic attributions given 1
period at which they were recorded preceded the construction of sorne late ele- 1991). Opinions have wavew
ments in the palace. Together with the observation made above that sorne Knos- IIIC but a recent reconsideral
sos tablets are palaeographically close to the LM IIIB 1 tablets from Chania, this and tablets firmly in the transiti
opens the possibility that Knossos preserves tablets of different periods, from phase, at the beginning of the
LM IlIAI to LM IIIB. This remains an hypothesis of course, but currently it 2001). There is, however, a i
seems wiser to accept such a diachrony, especially in view of the recent develop- Ua 994, Ae 995, Xa 1419-1421
ments in the chronology of Mainland tablets, as will be shown below. Inciden- dated to Late Relladic IlIA, an
tally, no Knossos tablet or inscribed sealing can as yet be securely dated but a which betrays Cretan ｩｮｦｬｵ･｣ｾ＠
complete vase with Linear B inscription cornes from a LM IIIB level in the of the earlier architectural rem
Unexplored Mansion, west of the palace (POPHAM 1969). A sherd with a possible marks: DRIESSEN 2000, 155, f
Linear B inscription was coUected by Evans from a general LM III level in the ments and a nodule were reco
Court of the Distaffs in the East Wing of the palace and another was recently
identified amongst the sherds from the South Rouse (DRJESSEN in press).
§ 3.5. MVCENAE

§ 3.3. CHANIA AND THE REST OF CRETE The ca 70 tablets and Înscr
locations, both within and 011
As mentioned above, sorne of the tablet fragments found at Chania come from 2001). Within the citadel ther
a well-dated Late Minoan nIB 1 context (HALLAGER - VLASAKIS - RALLAGER basement of the Rouse of the
1992). One or two painted Linear B inscriptions (KR Z 27-28), however, were whereas the Citadel Rouse yil
 § 3.3 § 3.4-5 CHRONOLOGY OF THE LINEAR B TEXTS 73

er Minoan times, but otherwise apparently found in a Late Minoan IIIA21ayer (second half of the 14th century
1990). The palaeography of the BC), whereas others are either LM IIIB or cannot be dated (HALLAGER 1983;
fferent from that observed else- DRIESSEN 1996). Only two vase inscriptions come from the floor of a house
noan Linear A examples. Sorne (Z 19-22). A complete inscribed Linear B stirrup jar was also found in chamber
None of the scribes responsible tomb 146 of the cemetery of Armenoi, likewise dated to LM IIIB and prob-
vhere in the palace and none of ably rather early within this period (GODART - TZEDAKIS 1989; TZEDAKIS 1996,
to homonyms elsewhere in the 1124); this is also the case for half a dozen Linear B inscribed stirrup jars
adwick once suggested that they found in Quartier Nu at Malia, mostly on the floors of a large domestic build-
Il anomalies can be explained if ing (FARNOUX - DRIESSEN 1991), and a Linear B graffito on a stirrup jar found
:ts represented the remains of an at Amnisos (SCHÀFER 1992). A fragmentary inscription on a sherd from the
tne of the fire destructions that Mamelouko cave in West Crete cannot be dated.
onze Age; as a working hypoth-
RIESSEN 1990). A similar, inter-
he relative isolation of the large § 3.4. PYLOS
)assage of the palace (DRIESSEN
p1lphical practices of the tablets The palace of Nestor yielded aImost 1200 tablets and fragments as weIl as
of idiosyncracies but sorne fea- about 147 sealings but, apart from a single vase graffiti, no painted Linear B
ere in the compound (DRIESSEN stirrup jars (DRIESSEN 1996). There has been sorne discussion on the date of the
orne tablets had ended up inside destruction layer of the palace, a discussion which is largely concemed with
'), which clearly implies that the the stylistic attributions given to the numerous pots found in its rooms (POPHAM
e construction of sorne late ele- 1991). Opinions have wavered from early Late Helladic IIIB to Late Helladic
>n made above that sorne Knos- IIIC but a recent reconsideration of this material places the final destruction
[ IIIB 1 tablets from Chania, this and tablets finnly in the transitional Late Helladic II1B2/Late Helladic IIIC Early
blets of different periods, from phase, at the beginning ofthe 12th century BC (MoUNTJOY 1997; SHELMERDINE
lesis of course, but currently it 2001). There is, however, a serious possibility that a few tablets (including
y in view of the recent develop- Ua 994, Ae 995, Xa 1419-1420 and Xn 1449) come from an earlier destruction,
will be shown below. Inciden- dated to Late Helladic IlIA, an impression also supported by their palaeography
. as yet be securely dated but a which betrays Cretan influences (PALAIMA 1982); such an impression fits sorne
; from a LM IIIB level in the of the earlier architectural remains at the site (Minoan type ashlar with mason's
[ 1969). A sherd with a possible marks: DRIESSEN 2000, 155, fig. 3.34). In recent years, three more tablet frag-
n a general LM III level in the ments and a nodule were recovered from the site (SHELMERDlNE 2001).
ùace and another was recently
use (DRIESSEN in press).
§ 3.5. MYCENAE

The ca 70 tablets and inscribed sealings from Mycenae come from different
locations, both within and outside the citadel (DRIESSEN 1996; SHELMERDINE
nts found al Chania come from 2001). Within the citadel there is a fragment found in a sounding in the pithos
,GER - VLASAKIS - HALLAGER basement of the House of the Columns in 1967, probably a palace dependency,
(KH Z 27-28), however, were whereas the Citadel House yielded seven tablets and a single inscribed sealing
74 J. DRIESSEN § 3.6 § 3.7-9 CHRONOU

(Wt 700). There is sorne discussion on ils destruction date but a transitional were also found in the area of
LH IIIB/C is very likely (IAKOVIDIS 1996; MOUNTJOY 1997). From outside the Late Helladic IIIBI (ARAVAN1
citadel there is a collection of tablets and sealings from a block of houses
standing on a terrace on the hillside to the southwest of the 'Tomb of Clytaim-
nestra' ('Ivory Houses'). The House of the Shields only yielded one tablet § 3.7. TIRYNS
fragment but the House of the on Merchant had 38. The House of the Sphinxes
contained 7 inscribed sealings and 9 tablets, the West House Il tablets.lnscribed AIl 25 tablets and fragmenl
stirrup jars come from most of the se houses (Oil Merchant, West, Columns, in the Unterburg or outside t
Citadel). The destruction of ail these houses is dated to Late Helladic IIIB 1. 1996). From the Unterburg tb
Another Linear B fragment, XI, was found near the terrace walls west of the another fragment was found if
Lion Tomb, in or near the so-called Petsas's House, and it is from here that the Unterburg contained 18 ta'
recently another Linear B tablet, apparently in a clear Late Helladic IIIA2 Late Helladic IlIB2 period (C
layer, was found in 2000 (Ergon for 2000). The latter discovery is quite impor- citadel, in the west town, a s
tant because it proves the existence of Linear B at Mycenae at three different three tablets come from HOUSI
moments, in LH IIIA2, IIIB 1 and IIIB2. fied LH IIIB layer. The find cc
unknown and several vases v
seem to derive from the palac
§ 3.6. THEBES addition, a complete stirrup ja
SHELMERDINE 2001).
Until the discovery of the new tablet fragments, Linear B documents were
found in four different places, probably aIl royal dependencies. One of the
§ 3.8. MIDEA AND THE REST 1
most important deposits comprising more than 65 inscribed stirrup-jars, was
discovered in 1921 in the so-called Kadmeion in a context which is now Three inscribed nodules ha
assumed to be Late Helladic IIIB 1 (CATLING et alii 1980). About 27 tablets aIl apparently in Late Helladi
were found in a building close-by which, because of its finds, was dubbed the of the West Gate, the two otht:
Arrnoury. Its destruction was originally placed in the Late Helladic lIIA2 period, terraces. Recently, a coarse \1
which has recently been modified into Late Helladic IIIB 1 (ARAVANTINOS carrying a Linear B inscripti
1999). About 150 m to the west of this, a deposit of 17 tablets was found and transitional LH I1IBILH IIIC c
the destruction deposit in this so-caIled Archive room contained pottery dated 200 1). Linear B inscribed vu
to the transitional LH IIIB/lIlC Early phase (ARAVANTINOS 1999; MOUNTJOY GIa and Eleusis on the Greek
1997). Again about 70 m to the southeast of the Arsenal, near the Homoloïdes
Gate, a deposit of 56 noduli, inscribed in Linear B, was found, apparently in a
Late HeIladic I1IB 1 context (PITEROS - OLIVIER - MELENA 1990). From this § 3.9. GENERAL CONSIDERA1
area and elsewhere in the town there come more stirrup jar fragments with
Linear B. There can be no doubt that
Sorne 250 newly excavated tablets and fragments from Pelopidou Street represents the apogee of Linea
also come from the area of the Armoury and, although the area was quite dis- discovery of sorne definitely
turbed by later occupation, sufficient destruction contexts were found to safely shows that the script was cern
attribute the tablets to the second half of the 13 th century BC, Le. to the end of tury, both on Crete and the M
the LH IIIB2 phase (ARAVANTINOS 1999). Recently, sorne sealings and a tablet ably be attributed to this peril
 § 3.6 § 3.7-9 CHRONOLOGY OF THE LINEAR B TEXTS 75

muction date but a transitional were also found in the area of the Treasury and these too are said to be earlier,
JNTJOY 1997). From outside the Late Helladic IIIB 1 (ARAVANTINOS 1999).
alings from a block of houses
lwest of the 'Tomb of Clytaim-
:hields only yielded one tablet § 3.7. TIRYNS
138. The House of the Sphinxes
ｾ･ｳｴ＠ House Il tablets. Inscribed AlI 25 tablets and fragments as weIl as vase inscriptions were found either
Oil Merchant, West, Columns, in the Unterburg or outside the citadel altogether (GODART 1988; DRIESSEN
; dated to Late Helladic IIIB 1. 1996). From the Unterburg there is a surface find from the south-east part and
ar the terrace walls west of the another fragment was found in a Postmycenaean context. A pit in House VI of
fouse, and it is from here that the Unterburg contained 18 tablet fragments and this has been attributed to the
n a clear Late Helladic IIIA2 Late Helladic IIIB2 period (GODART KILLEN - OLIVIER 1983). Outside the
latter discovery is quite impor- citadel, in the west town, a stray tablet dealing with armour was found and
l al Mycenae at three different three tablets come from House 0 to the south-east, apparently in a well-strati-
fied LH IIIB layer. The find contexts of many inscribed stirrup jar fragments is
unknown and severaI vases were actually lost after the excavation but sorne
seem to derive from the palace building proper (Area 52, West Staircase). In
addition, a complete stirrup jar (Z 9) cornes from Tomb XV (DRIESSEN 1986;
SHELMERDINE 2(01).
nts, Linear B documents were
yaI dependencies. One of the
65 inscribed stirrup-jars, was § 3.8. MIDEA AND THE REST OF THE MAINLAND
Il in a context which is now
Three inscribed nodules have so far been found within the citadel at Midea,
t aUi 1980). About 27 tablets
aIl apparently in Late Helladic IIIB2 layers. One nodule cornes from the area
le of its finds, was dubbed the
of the West Gate, the two others from close to the megaron on one of the lower
the Late Helladic 1I1A2 period,
terraces. Recently, a coarse ware stirrup jar (MI Z 4) decorated with octopus
lelladic IIIB 1 (ARAVANTINOS
carrying a Linear B inscription from the citadel has also been dated to the
it of 17 tablets was found and
transitional LH IIIB/LH IIIC early phase (DEMAKOPOULOU 1995; SHELMERDINE
room contained pottery dated
2(01). Linear B inscribed vases have also been found at Orchomenos, Kreusis,
tA VANTINOS 1999; MOUNTJOY
GIa and Eleusis on the Greek Mainland (SACCONI 1974).
Arsenal, near the Homoloïdes
B, was found, apparently in a
- MELENA 1990). From this § 3.9. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
re stirrup jar fragments with
There can be no doubt that the Late Helladic IIIB period, the 13 th century BC,
nents from Pelopidou Street represents the apogee of Linear Buse, both for the tablets and for the vases. The
ｾｯｵｧｨ＠ the area was quite dis- discovery of sorne definitely earlier material, at Mycenae, Pylos and Chania,
contexts were found to safely shows that the script was certainly in use during the second haIf of the 14th cen-
century BC, Le. to the end of tury, both on Crete and the Mainland and most of the Knossos tablets may prob-
Iy, sorne sealings and a tablet ably be attributed to this period, i.e. to Late Helladic/Minoan IIIA. The earlier
76 J. DRIESSEN § 3.9 § 3.10-11 CHRONOLi

features of an administrative, palaeographical and linguistic nature - § 3.10. NOTE OF THE EDiTOR:
displayed by the records found in the Room of the Chariot Tablets at Knossos,
make it very possible, however, that this latter deposit represents an even § 3.5: a new tablet, MY Ui 2, w.
nae. This find is important becau
earlier Linear B collection, perhaps to be dated to the very beginning of the
in the middle of the Xlytb centu
14th century BC. Our next main phase is the end of Late Helladic/Minoan dated and undoubted Linear B te:
IIIB1, ca 1250 BC, when several Mainland and Cretan centres, including per- Minos 37-38 (2002-2003),387-3'
haps the palace of Knossos, suffered an earthquake destruction, accompanied
§ 3.6: ca 15 new tablets from TI
by tire. AIl Mainland centres were again struck by a tire destruction around
NOS, V.L. GODART, L. - SACCOl
the heginning of the 12tb century and this catastrophe signalled the demi se of tablet from Thebes (Uq 434) Wal
the palace system. It then seems reasonable to assume that Linear B was in use logical Colloquium in Rome.
for at least 200 years. The question is: when and where was the script created?
§ 3.9: a strong case against thE
Here we can only speculate: on palaeographical grounds, different scenarios PALAIMA, T.G., Minos 37-38 (2(
have been suggested with different dates (LH/LM 1/11) and different places of
creation (Mycenae, Knossos, Cyclades) (GODART 1979; OLIVIER 1979; PALAlMA
1982a; 1988; DRIESSEN 2000). The pebble incised with Linear B signs found in
a late Middle Helladic layer at Kafkania near Olympia in the West Peloponnese
suggests, to some, that the creation of the script happened as early as in the Shaft
Grave Period (16th century BC), on the Mycenaean Mainland (ARAPOGIANNI - § 3.11. REFERENCES FOR CIL

RAMBACH GODART 1999). This pebble remains something of an enigma since

ARAPOGIANNI, P. - RAMBACH, J
neither its date, nor its context, nor ilS nature can he easily titted into a general
Kafkania - Olympie (OL 2
historical framework; hence 1 remain sceptical and await further discoveries. ARAVANTINOS, V. 1999, MyceTUJ
the New Linear B Archives
Table 3.2: Suggested relative chronology for Linear B documents ANDRIKOU, E.: The Pottery.
Pelopidou Street, Thebes).
LM I1IAI LM LM LH LH IIIB/C Atti Il: see Chapter 10 below.
I1IA-2early IIIA2-late I1IBl-late transition BENNETT, EL, Jr. 1986, The Insc
of G.E. Mylonas, Athens, A
KN RCT? NEP? rest? ? BLEGEN, C.W. 1958, A ChronoI
KH 2 ISJ's Tablets & ISJ Sundwall, Berlin, Deutschc
CATLING, H.W. - CHERRY, 1.F.-:
Crete MA ISJ;
Stirrup Jars and West Cret.
ARM ISJ
CHADWICK, J. 1967, The Archive,
py fragments? archives 103-104.
MI sealings, ISJ Crète mycénienne: see Chapter
DEMAKOPOULOU, K. 1995, Myce
TI House VI of Midea in the Argolid. Bi
TH Kadmeion, 'Archives' , DRIESSEN, J. 1990, An Early Des
Armoury, Pelopidou Katholieke Universiteit Lel
Treasury DRIESSEN, J. 1996, Architectura,
Mycenaean Greece, in Am
MY Petsas houses citadel DRIESSEN, J. 1997, Le Palais de
(ARM: Annenoi; ISJ: inscribed stirrup jars; KH: Chania; KN: Knossos; MA: Malia; MI: Midea; Crète mycénienne, 113-13<1
MY: Mycenae; NEP: Northem Entrance Passage; PY: Pylos; RCf: Room of the Chariot Tablets; DRIESSEN,1. 1999, The Norther
TH: Thebes; TI: Tiryns). as Central Archives, in Fic
 § 3.9 § 3.10­11  CHRONOLOGY  OF THE  LINEAR  B  TEXTS  77

hieal and linguistic nature - § 3.10.  NOTE  OF THE  EDiTORS 

the Chariot Tablets at Knossos, 
ter  deposit  represents  an  even  §  3.5:  a new tablet, MY  Di 2,  was  recently discovered in  the  'Petsas house'  at Myce-
d to the  very  beginning  of the  nae.  This  find  is  important because its  stratigraphical context is  plainly LH  IlIA  2, Le. 
end  of Late  HelladiclMinoan  in  the  middle  of the  XIyth  century.  This  document  becomes  then  the  oldest  securely 
dated and undoubted Linear B text known  on the Greek continent. See SHELTON,  K.S., 
1 e retan centres, including per-
Minos 37­38  (2002­2003),387­396. 
uake destruction,  accompanied 
:k  by  a  tire  destruction  around  §  3.6:  ca 15  new  tablets  from  Thebes  are now published  and  discussed by  ARAVANTI-
Itrophe  signalled  the demise of  NOS,  V.L. ­ GODART,  L. ­ SACCONI,  A., in Neuen Linear B-Texte, 1­9;  yet another new 
tablet from  Thebes (Uq 434)  was  presented by  the  same authors  at  the  2006  Myceno-
ssume that Linear B was in use 
logical Colloquium in Rome. 
1 where was the script created? 
al grounds,  different  scenarios  §  3.9:  a  strong  case  against  the  authenticity  of the  Kafkania  pebble  was  made  by 
M IIII)  and different places of  PALAIMA,  T.G.,  Minos 37­38  (2002­2003), 373­385. 
, 1979;  OLIVIER  1979;  PALAlMA  YD 
id  with Linear B signs found  in  AMD 
ffllpia  in the West Peloponnese 
Ilppened as early as in the Shaft 
eau  Mainland  (ARAPOGIANNI  § 3.11.  REFERENCES  FOR  CHAPTER  3 
something of an enigma since 
1 he  easily  fitted  into a  general  ARAPOGIANNI,  P.  ­ RAMBACH,  J.  ­ GODART,  L.  1999,  L'inscription en linéaire B de
Id  await further discoveries.  Kafkania ­ Olympie (OL Zh l), in  Floreant, 39-43.
ARAVANTINOS,  V.  1999,  Mycenaean Texts and Contexts at Thebes: The Discovery of
the New Linear B Archives on the Kadmeia, in  Floreant, 45­102  (& Appendix by 
Linear B documents  ANDRIKOU,  E.:  The Pottery from the Destruction Layer of the Linear B Archive in
Pelopidou Street, Thebes).
LU  LU IIID/C  Atti II: see  Chapter  10 below. 
IIIBI­late  transition  BENNETT, E.L., Jr.  1986,  The lnscribed Stirrup Jar and Pinacology, in  Studies in honour
?  ofG.E. Mylonas, Athens, Archaeological  Society of Athens,  136­143. 
BLEGEN,  C.W.  1958,  A Chronological Problem, in  Minoica. Festschrift für Johannes
Tablets  & ISJ  Sundwall, Berlin, Deutsche Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin, 61­66.  
MA  ISJ;  CATLING, H.W. ­ CHERRY, J.F. ­ JoNES,  R.E. - KILLEN, J.T.  1980, The Linear B lnscribed
ARM ISJ  Stirrup Jars and West Crete, ABSA 75,49­113. 
CHADWICK, J.  1967,  The Archive of the Room of the Chariot Tablets al Knossos, BlCS 14,
archives  103­104. 
sealings, ISJ  Crète mycénienne: see Chapter  10 below. 
House  VI  DEMAKOPOULOU,  K.  1995,  Mycenaean Citadels: Recent Excavations on the Acropolis
ofMidea in the Argolid, BlCS 40,  151­161. 
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Annoury,  Pelopidou  Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. 
Treasury  DRIESSEN,  J.  1996, Architectural Context, Administration and Political Architecture in
J  Mycenaean Greece. in  Atti II,  1013­1028. 
bouses  citadel 
J DRIESSEN,  J.  1997,  Le Palais de Cnossos au MR Il-Ill: Combien de destructions?, in 
: Knossos;  MA: Malia; MI:  Midea;  Crète mycénienne, 113-134.
Rer: Roorn of the Chariot Tablets;  DRIESSEN,  J.  1999,  The Northern En/rance Passage at Knossos and lts Possible Role
as Central Archives, in  Floreant, 205-226.
78 J. DRIESSEN § 3.11 § 3.11 CHRONOL

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Universidad de Salamanca. BCH 114, 103-184.
DRIESSEN, J. (in press), An Inscribed Sherd, in MouNTJOY, P.A (ed.), The South House POPHAM, M.R. 1969, A LM IllB J
at Knossos. POPHAM, M.R. 1970, The Destrul
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FARNOUX, A. DRIESSEN, J. 1991, Inscriptions peintes en linéaire B à Malia. BCH 115, Age Reoccupation, OJA 10,
71-97. POPHAM, M.R. 1997, The Final l
Floreant: see Chapter 10 below. and Pottery. A Reconsidera,
GODART, L. 1979, Le linéaire A et son environnement, SMEA 20, 34-35. SACCONI, A. 1974, Corpus dell
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251. SCHÂFER, J. (ed.) 1992, Amnisos,
GODART, L. KllLEN, J.T. - OLIVIER, J.-P. 1983, Eighteen More Fragments ofLinear B Scribes Cnossos: see Chapter 10
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GODART, L. - TZEDAKls, Y. 1989, La storia della lineare Bele scoperte di Armenoi e Age of the Southern and Cl
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HALLAGER, E. 1983, The Greek-Swedish Excavations at Kastelli, Khania 1980. The de Salamanca.
Linear B Inscriptions, AAA 16,58-73. Studies Bennett: see Chapter 10
HALLAGER, E. VLASAKIS, M. HALLAGER, B.P. 1990, The first Linear B Tablet(s) TZEDAKIS, Y. 1996, La nécropol,
from Khania, Kadmos 29, 24-34. WARREN, P.M. - HANKEY, V. Il
HALLAGER, E. VLASAKIS, M. - HALLAGER, B.P. 1992, New Linear B Tablers from Classical Press.
Khania, Kadmos 31, 61-87.
HOOKER, J.T. 1964, The 'Unity of the Archives' at Knossos, Kadmos 3, 114-121.
IAKOVIDIS, S.E. 1996, Mycenae in the Light of Recent Discoveries, in Atti II, 1039-
1049.
Idéogrammes: see Chapter 10 below.
'Ivory Houses': see Chapter 10 below.
MOUNTJOY, P.A 1997, The Destruction of the Palace at Pylos reconsidered, ABSA 92,
109-135.
OLIVIER, J.-P. 1979, L'origine de l'écriture linéaire B, SMEA 20,45-48.
OLlvIER,l-P. 1993, KN 115 KH 115. Un même scribe à Knossos et à La Canée au
MR IllB: du soupçon à la certitude, BCH 117,19-33.
OLIVIER, J.-P. 1996, KN 115 et KH 115: rectification, BCH 120, 823.
PALAlMA, T.G. 1982, Evidence for the Influence of the Knossian Graphie Tradition at
Pylos, Eirene 16,80-84.
PALAIMA, T.G. 1982a, Linear A in the Cyclades: The Trade and Travel of a Script,
TUAS 7, 15-22.
PALAIMA, T.G. 1984, Inscribed Stirrup Jars and Regionalism in Linear B Crete, SMEA
25, 189-203.
PALAIMA, T.G. 1988, The Development of the Mycenaean Writing System, in Studies
Bennett, 269-342.
PALAIMA, T.G. 1995, Ten Reasons why KH 115 '" KN 115, Minos 27-28 (1992-93),
261-281.
PALMER, L.R. 1969, The Penultimate Palace at Knossos, Rome, Edizioni dell'Ateneo.
PALMER, L.R. BOARDMAN, J. 1963, On the Knossos Tablets, Oxford, Clarendon
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 J

§ 3.11 §  3.11  CHRONOLOGY  OF  THE  LINEAR  B  TEXTS  79 

Chariot Tablets at Knossos. Inter- PITEROS,  C.  ­ OLIVIER,  J.­P.  MELENA,  J.L.  1990,  Les  inscriptions  en  linéaire B  des 
. B Deposit,  Salamanca, Ediciones nodules de Thèbes (1982):  lafouille, les documents, les possibilités d'interprétation, 
BCH  114,  103­184. 
moy, PA (ed.), The South House  POPHAM,  M.R.  1969, A LM lllB Inscriptionfrom Knossos, Kadmos  8,43­45. 
POPHAM,  M.R.  1970, The Destruction of the Palace at Knossos,  Goteborg, Carl Bloms 
rthe Excavations in 1900, ABSA 6,  Boktyckerei. 
POPHAM,  M.R.  1991,  Pylos:  Reflexions on  the  Date of its Destruction and on  its Iron 
!s en linéaire B à Mafia, BCH 115, Age Reoccupation, OJA  10,315­324. 
POPHAM,  M.R.  1997,  The  Final Destruction  of the Palace al Knossos:  Seals, Sealings 
and Pottery. A Reconsideration,  in  Crète mycénienne,  375-385.
It, SMEA  20, 34-35. SACCONI,  A.  1974,  Corpus  delle  iscrizioni  vascolari  in  lineare  B,  Rome,  Edizioni 
B  de  Tirynthe,  AA  1988, 245- dell' Ateneo. 
SCHÂFER,  J.  (ed.)  1992,  Amnisos,  Berlin, Mann (Gebr.) 
lIeen More Fragments ofLinear B  Scribes Cnossos:  see Chapter 10 below. 
ｾｊＮ＠ AA  1983, 413­426.  SHELMERDINE,  C.W.  2001,  Review of A egean Prehistory VI:  The  Palatial Bronze 
eare Bele seo perte di Armenoi e  Age of the Southern and Central Greek Mainland,  in CULLEN,  T. (ed.), Aegean 
Prehistory.  A  Review,  Boston,  Archaeological  Institute  of  America,  329-
/s:  Evidence for Final Destruction  381. 
ltus  Hellstrom.  SPYROPOULOS, T. ­ CHADWICK, J.  1975, The Thebes Tablets Il, Salamanca, Universidad 
IS af Kastelli,  Khania  1980.  The  de Salamanca. 
Studies Bennett:  see Chapter 10 below. 
iI9O,  The  first  Linear B  Tablet(s)  TZEDAKIS,  Y.  1996, La nécropole d'Armenoi,  in Atti Il,  1121­1130. 
WARREN,  P.M. ­ HANKEY,  V.  1989,  Aegean  Bronze  Age Chronology,  Bristol,  Bristol 
ｾＲＬ＠ New  Linear B  Tablets from  Classical Press. 

IOSSOS, Kadmos  3,  114­121. 

'nt  Discoveries,  in  Atti  II, 1039-

at Pylos reconsidered, ABSA 92,

, SMEA  20, 45­48.  
tbe à Knossos et à La Canée au  
9·33.  
BCH  120, 823.  
ｾ＠ Knossian  Graphie  Tradition at  

ｾ＠ Trade  and Travel  of a  Script, 

nalism in Linear B Crete, SMEA 

Jean  Writing  System,  in  Studies 

V 115, Minos  27­28  (1992­93), 

/s, Rome, Edizioni dell'Ateneo. 
I)S Tablets,  Oxford,  Clarendon