Mysteries Department
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Questions

Research questions are the building block of our platform of scientific inquiry. Key questions are the ones at the heart of a mystery; every other question helps answer one of them.

4questions1answered0with no evidence yet
All mysteries
Phaistos Disc
Phaistos Disc2 key questions · 4 questions · 1 answered
Open the mystery
QuestionWhere it stands
KeyIs the Phaistos Disc a genuine Middle Minoan object?
Most likelyThe disc is a Minoan object of about 1750 BC found where Pernier said he found it
KeyWhat language does the disc record?
Most likelyThe disc records the Minoan language also written in Linear A
Does any published reading of the disc hold up?
AnsweredNo published reading meets the basic checks.
In which direction is the text read, and what is the oblique stroke?
Most likelyThe text reads from the rim to the centre, and the oblique stroke marks something about the final sign or…