Lost Languages

The Enigma of the World's Undeciphered Scripts

Andrew Robinson

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Paperback

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English

Thames & Hudson
01 April 2009

linguistics; Historical & comparative linguistics; History; Ancient history: to c 500 CE

Beginning with the stories of three great decipherments - Egyptian hieroglyphs, Minoan Linear B and Mayan glyphs - Lost Languages moves on to dissect the most well-known and enigmatic undeciphered scripts from around the world.

These include the Etruscan alphabet of Italy, the Indus Valley seal script, Rongorongo from remote Easter Island, the Zapotec script of Mexico (probably the first writing system in the Americas), and the unique Phaistos disc of Crete. Lost Languages reports from the front lines of scholarship where obsessions, genius, occasional delusion and sometimes bitter rivalry are de rigueur among those currently competing for the rare honour of cracking these ancient codes - and giving voice to forgotten worlds.

By: Andrew Robinson
Imprint: Thames & Hudson
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 232mm, Width: 187mm, Spine: 33mm
Weight: 1.110kg
ISBN: 9780500288160
ISBN 10: 050028816X
Pages: 352
Publication Date: 01 April 2009
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , A / AS level , Further / Higher Education
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Reviews for Lost Languages: The Enigma of the World's Undeciphered Scripts

'If you hate unsolved mysteries this parade of incomprehensible texts will drive you nuts with frustration. But if you're a wannabe linguist, and perhaps the world's next Michael Ventris, you'll definitely want to read this book' - Focus 'Robinson's enthusiasm for the subject is so infectious that you might find youreself trying to crack Etruscan in your spare time' - Archaeology