Sold out
The Man Who Deciphered Linear B: The Story of Michael Ventris

The Man Who Deciphered Linear B: The Story of Michael Ventris

Andrew Robinson

Rs. 983.00
Out of stock In stock
Size Guide

SHARE

Linear B is Europe’s oldest readable writing, dating from the middle of the second millennium BC. This book, newly available in paperback, tells the life story of Michael Ventris, interlaced with that of his decipherment of Linear B. First discovered in 1900, on clay tablets among the ruins of the Palace of Minos at Knossos, Crete, it remained a mystery for over fifty years until 1952, when Michael Ventris discovered that its signs did not represent an unknown language as previously believed, but an archaic dialect of Greek, more than 500 years older than the Greek of Homer. Dubbed the ‘Everest of archaeology’, the decipherment was all the more remarkable because Ventris was not a trained classical scholar but an architect by profession, who had first heard of Linear B as a schoolboy. An initial fascination became a lifelong obsession for this intriguing and contradictory man, a gifted linguist but a divided soul. ‘Excellent: well researched and clearly presented … compelling reading’ – The Times Literary Supplement ‘Excellent … Robinson understands how to make the complexities of pictograms clear to the non-expert. The book gives many examples, and would appeal to anyone interested in crosswords, codes and cyphers, but it also tells a fascinating human story’ – The Independent ‘A wonderfully swift and clear biography, written for the nonspecialist’ – The Economist ‘A superb biography of Michael Ventris, combining a warm account of his life with just enough technical details to satisfy those who have knowledge of linguistics or indeed of the classics. It is a splendid read, and a fine memorial to the split personality that enabled Ventris to decipher Minoan Linear B so triumphantly’ – Current World Archaeology

Publisher
Thames and Hudson Ltd
ISBN
9780500289983
Binding
Paperback
Page Extent
168
Weight (kg)
0.26
Height (in)
8.46
Width (in)
5.31
Subject
History , Ancient History & Archaeology
Published Date
20 / 02 / 2012

Trending Now

Best Seller

The Sartorialist. India - Signed Ed.

Bandana Tewari & Scott Schuman
Rs. 6,995.00

The Lebanese Cookbook

Salma Hage
Rs. 4,387.00
Best Seller

Mario Testino. Sir. 40Th Ed.

Pierre Borhan, Patrick Kinmonth (Editor) & Mario Testino (Photographer)
Rs. 3,500.00
Best Seller

Le Corbusier and the Power of Photography

Nathalie Herschdorfer and Lada Umstätter
Rs. 3,514.00
Best Seller

Dior Joaillerie

Victoire De Castellane
Rs. 19,995.00
Best Seller

Marvel Classic Black Light Collectible Poster Portfolio

Marvel Entertainment
Rs. 8,235.00

The Anatomy of Fashion : Why We Dress the Way We Do

Colin McDowell
Rs. 6,583.00
Best Seller

Diary of Frida Kahlo

Carlos Fuentes
Rs. 2,415.00
Best Seller

Lagerfeld: The Chanel Shows

Simon Procter
Rs. 9,995.00
Best Seller

Nike Sb The Dunk Book

Nike Sb
Rs. 7,995.00
Best Seller

Fifty Places to Practice Yoga Before You Die : Yoga Experts Share the World’s Greatest Destinations

Chris Santella and Diana Helmuth
Rs. 1,975.00
Best Seller

The Indian Vegetarian Cookbook

Pushpesh Pant
Rs. 2,495.00
Best Seller

Louis Vuitton

Pierre Leonforte and Eric Pujalet-Plaa
Rs. 12,078.00
Best Seller

1000 Sneakers: A Guide To The World'S Greatest Kicks, From Sport To Street

Mathieu Le Maux
Rs. 3,995.00
Best Seller

Where to Eat Pizza

Daniel Young
Rs. 1,861.00
Best Seller

BYWAYS. Photographs by Roger A Deakins

Roger Deakins
Rs. 4,941.00

Paul Smith

Rs. 5,485.00
Best Seller

The Big Sticker Book of the Blue

Yuval Zommer
Rs. 795.00
Best Seller

Design: The Whole Story

Elizabeth Wilhide
Rs. 2,745.00
Best Seller

The Family Meal, Home Cooking with Ferran Adrià

Ferran Adrià 

Rs. 3,289.00

Recently Viewed Products

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn more

Ok, got it