Mysteries Department
Sign inRequest access
0

Is the Phaistos Disc a genuine Middle Minoan object?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·3 answers·0·0 following
Most likely: the disc is a Minoan object of about 1750 BC found where Pernier said he found itAhead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

Where it stands

Three answers have been proposed. The disc is a Minoan object of about 1750 BC found where Pernier said he found it. leads, with evidence 4 for: supported by its tests. Two are still possible.

Why it matters

If the disc is a 1908 forgery, every question about its script and language is void. The claim was made in print in 2008 and has been answered on archaeological grounds but not by a physical test⁠[1]⁠[2].

Answers 3

Evidence: 4 for
Most likely
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible
Evidence: 2 for, 1 against
Disputed

History

  1. Eisenberg puts forward: the disc was made in or shortly before 1908 and planted, by Pernier or with his knowledge.
  2. Eisenberg: the disc is unique, its signs are stamped rather than incised, and some signs resemble motifs from other…For: The disc was made in or shortly before 1908 and planted, by Pernier or with his knowledge.
  3. Eisenberg: the authorities have not permitted a thermoluminescence test, so the physical question is open.For: The disc was made in or shortly before 1908 and planted, by Pernier or with his knowledge.
  4. Hnila: sign 21 recurs on a sealing from Phaistos excavated in a secure context in 1955.For: The disc is a Minoan object of about 1750 BC found where Pernier said he found it.
  5. La Rosa: pernier's daybooks and the circumstances of the season are consistent with a genuine find.For: The disc is a Minoan object of about 1750 BC found where Pernier said he found it.
  6. Baldacci puts forward: the disc is a Minoan object of about 1750 BC found where Pernier said he found it.
  7. Baldacci: six disc signs have parallels in impressed fine ware from Phaistos excavated between 1950 and 1966.For: The disc is a Minoan object of about 1750 BC found where Pernier said he found it.
  8. Baldacci: signs 21 and others recur on Phaistian material excavated between 1950 and 1966, which a 1908 forger could…Against: The disc was made in or shortly before 1908 and planted, by Pernier or with his knowledge.
  9. Asked on this site
Add evidence
1What it bears on2What you found3Where it comes from
Which answer?
Does it count for or against it?
In a sentence, what did you find?
What you found optional
Where it comes from optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.
Propose an answer
Your answer, in a sentence
What would rule it out? optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.
Ask a sub-question
Your question
Why it would help optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.
Add a source
The source
What it shows about this question optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.

Discussion 0

Add to the discussion