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What were the inscribed clay balls for?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of What language or languages does Cypro-Minoan write?·2 answers·0·0 following
Most likely: the balls were administrative tokens or lots naming people or units, used in allocation or sortitionAhead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

Where it stands

Two answers have been proposed. The balls were administrative tokens or lots naming people or units, used in allocation or sortition. leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. One is still possible.

Why it matters

About 90 balls, each with three to five signs, are the largest single class of object, and their repetitions are the best internal evidence for words or names⁠[1].

Answers 2

Evidence: 1 for
Most likely
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible

History

  1. Ferrara & Valério puts forward: the balls were administrative tokens or lots naming people or units, used in allocation or sortition.
  2. Ferrara & Valério: sign sequences repeat across balls found together.For: The balls were administrative tokens or lots naming people or units, used in allocation or sortition.
  3. Asked on this site
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