data/linear_a/README.md

# Linear A Libation Tables Database

Comprehensive database of all known Linear A Za-category inscriptions (stone vessel inscriptions), with focus on libation tables and related ritual objects used in Minoan cultic contexts.

## Files

- `libation_tables.json` — Full structured database with sign-level data where available
- `libation_tables.tsv` — Flat tabular export for quick reference and processing
- `libation_formula_signs.json` — 34 unique syllabograms from the libation formula with phonetic status
- `METHODOLOGY.md` — Pipeline documentation: how inscriptions were collated, signs mapped to Unicode, and phonetic values assigned
- `UNDECIPHERED_SIGNS_ANALYSIS.md` — Deep analysis of the two undeciphered signs (*301 and *56): corpus data, syllabogram evidence, candidate readings, and why their phonetic values are left blank

## Contents

**60 total Za-category inscriptions** from 16 archaeological sites:

| Site | Count | Notable |
|------|-------|---------|
| Iouktas (IO) | 16 | IO Za 2 has principal libation formula; IO Za 15 has positions 5-6 |
| Palaikastro / Petsophas (PK) | 14 | Peak sanctuary; largest concentration of libation tables |
| Syme Viannou (SY) | 11 | SY Za 4 has unique nwa sign |
| Knossos (KN) | 4 | KN Za 10: stepped vessel, dated LM IA |
| Apodoulou (AP) | 3 | Includes jar and stone lid |
| Pseira (PSI) | 2 | Pithos fragments |
| Kophinas (KO) | 1 | Architectural stone block |
| Kythera (KY) | 1 | KY Za 2: ladle from Agios Georgios sanctuary |
| Kannia (KAN) | 1 | KAN Za 1: stone vessel |
| Lachania (LACH) | 1 | LACH Za 1: stone vessel |
| Nerokourou (NE) | 1 | NE Za 1: contains I-DA (Mount Ida place name) |
| Prasa (PR) | 1 | Stone box; contains SE-TO-I-JA |
| Psykhro (PS) | 1 | PS Za 2: secondary libation formula |
| Troullos (TL) | 1 | Marble ladle |
| Vrysinas (VRY) | 1 | Serpentine libation table |
| Zominthos (ZO) | 1 | ZO Za 1: recently published stone vessel |

Plus **6 related non-Za inscriptions** with libation formula elements or from ritual contexts (AR Zf 1-2, PL Zf 1, KN Zc 7, PO Zc 1, KO Zf 2).

## SigLA Data

Two inscriptions have full sign-by-sign palaeographic data from [SigLA](https://sigla.phis.me/):

- **PS Za 2** (Psykhro): 16 signs / 5 words — `ta-na-i-*301-ti [?] ja-ti ja-sa-sa-ra-me re-i-ke`
- **SY Za 4** (Syme): 13 signs / 3 words — `a-ta-i-*301-wa-ja ja-i-nwa-za *56-ni-wi`

Each sign includes: AB number, conventional reading, sign type, reading certainty, and individual sign image URL.

## Phonetics Policy

Phonetic readings are **ONLY** included where explicitly provided in source material:
- SigLA provides conventional Linear B phonetic values applied to Linear A signs (marked as `conventional_reading`)
- Transcriptions from Davis 2013/2014 are included where explicitly given in the source PDFs
- **No phonetic values have been inferred, guessed, or generated**

Signs marked with `*` (e.g., `*301`, `*56`) are undeciphered signs with no agreed phonetic value.

## The Libation Formula

The libation formula is the longest recurring Linear A text, found on stone ritual vessels. Structure (Davis 2013):

| Position | Role | Example (IO Za 2) |
|----------|------|--------------------|
| 1 | Verb (main): "gives/dedicates" | a-ta-i-*301-wa-ja |
| 2 | Place name | ja-di-ki-tu |
| 3 | Dedicant name (varies) | [personal name] |
| 4 | Object: "offering" | ja-sa-sa-ra-me |
| 5 | Verb (subordinate): "requesting" | u-na-ka-na-si |
| 6 | Prepositional phrase: "from [deity]" | i-pi-na-ma si-ru-te |

## Sources

- Salgarella, E. (2024). *Writing in Bronze Age Crete*. Cambridge Elements.
- Salgarella, E. (2020). *Aegean Linear Script(s)*. Cambridge Classical Studies.
- Davis, B. (2014). *Minoan Stone Vessels with Linear A Inscriptions*. Aegaeum 36.
- Davis, B. (2013). Syntax in Linear A: The word-order of the 'libation formula'.
- SigLA database: https://sigla.phis.me/ (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
- Muhly & Olivier (2008). Linear A inscriptions from the Syme Sanctuary.
- GORILA = Godart & Olivier (1976-1985). *Recueil des inscriptions en lineaire A*. Vols. I-V.
- lineara.xyz — Digital GORILA corpus with transcriptions by George Douros.