Curiosmos
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists
No Result
View All Result
Like us on Facebook
Curiosmos
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists
No Result
View All Result
Curiosmos
No Result
View All Result

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Phaistos Disc

Vladislav TchakarovbyVladislav Tchakarov
September 21, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024
in Curious Lists
Side B of the Phaistos Disc as seen in the Museum in Crete.

Side B of the Phaistos Disc as seen in the Museum in Crete.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Greece, with its myriad islands, stands as a bastion of ancient mysteries and inspiring history. There’s an enduring humor among locals that every ancient stone in Greece harbors a fragment of history, a testament to the nation’s rich and varied past.

Over a century ago, on the island of Crete, an enigmatic artifact known as the Phaistos Disc was unearthed, captivating historians and linguists alike. Bearing inscriptions that have long eluded decryption, this artifact has become a symbol of historical intrigue. Recent efforts by historians suggest that we are on the cusp of unraveling the mystery and origins of this remarkable relic.

To further explore this, let’s delve into some intriguing facts about the Phaistos Disc:

  1. The Phaistos Disc was unearthed in a basement of the palace within the Phaistos archaeological site in Crete, revealing its first hint of mystery.
  2. Its creation dates back to the period between 1900 and 1700 BC, placing it firmly within the Bronze Age.
  3. Despite its modest size of just 6 inches in diameter, the disc holds a staggering array of symbols, a testament to its complexity.
  4. The inscriptions on the disc are unique, bearing no resemblance to any other known ancient writing system, adding to its enigma.
  5. Both sides of the disc are adorned with a total of 242 symbols, intricately arranged in spiral patterns that captivate the observer.
  6. These symbols comprise 45 different pictographs, each contributing to the disc’s dense and mysterious narrative.
  7. The style of the inscriptions suggests they are written in an as-yet-unknown form of Minoan script, offering a potential link to the ancient civilization of Crete.
  8. Among the inscriptions, three words have been tentatively identified using parallels with ancient Greek languages, with each of these words thought to mean ‘mother’ or ‘goddess.’
  9. Recent studies conducted in 2018 and 2019 have led experts to claim that they can now read 99% of the inscriptions, a significant breakthrough in understanding this artifact.
  10. The prevailing hypothesis among experts is that the disc may be a Minoan lyrical hymn dedicated to a Minoan goddess, suggesting not only a religious but also a cultural significance.

Let’s summarize what we learned

The ability to read an ancient text to a certain extent does not guarantee the ability to understand. This is what the current researchers of the Phaistos Disc said during the press release of their latest discoveries. What this means is that despite their success in reading the inscriptions using similar ancient Greek languages, the meaning behind the writings remains unknown.

Related Posts

Most sounds in space scientists receive or catch come as radio waves. Credit: Shutterstock

10 Eerie Sounds Recorded in Space

December 14, 2020 - Updated on September 22, 2022
Mosaics of Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons, created with data from the Cassini spacecraft, giving us a brand new amazing presentation of this fascinating moon. Credit: ESA Int.

10 Places in the Solar System Where Life Could Exist

October 23, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024

For now, experts were able to understand a total of three symbols and all suggest an identical meaning – mother or goddess mother. This is why for now, the Phaistos disc is considered a lyrical hymn to the ancient Minoan goddess.

The possibility that it is not a Minoan creation exists to this day and will until the whole message is deciphered. However, the inclusion of symbols typical for Minoan artistry like dolphins, cattle, etc. is more than eloquent for us to believe that it is. Moreover, it was discovered at the very palace of one of the most important cities of the Minoan civilization.

The most curious characteristic of the Phaistos Disc is the way the inscriptions were made. In most cases, similar ancient artifacts were handmade if we can call it like that. Obviously, everything was handmade back then but I’m referring to the actual placement of the symbols. The ones on the Phaistos disc were not inscribed but rather pressed. This means that someone back then made a template for each symbol and used it for the inscriptions on the disc.

What this suggests is the possibility that the Phaistos Disc was not a unique item but mass-produced. This theory is supported by the size of the disc which is unusually small. Last but not least, the theory that it is a hymn perfectly fits the idea that this could have been one of many such discs.

Join the discussion and participate in awesome giveaways in our mobile Telegram group. Join Curiosmos on Telegram Today. t.me/Curiosmos

Share157Tweet98Share27ShareSend
Vladislav Tchakarov

Vladislav Tchakarov

Hello, my name is Vladislav and I am glad to have you here on Curiosmos. As a history student, I have a strong passion for history and science, and the opportunity to research and write in this field on a daily basis is a dream come true.

Related Posts

An artist’s rendering of Artificial Intelligence. Depositphotos.
Curious Lists

10 Ways Artificial Intelligence Will Completely Change the World by 2030

May 9, 2022 - Updated on January 21, 2024
The Kowloon Walled City was the most densely populated place in the world and a city with literally no laws. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Curious Lists

10 Facts About The Destroyed City of Darkness in China

April 18, 2021 - Updated on January 21, 2024
An illustration from an old manuscript from the colonial era called Codex Rios depicting Aztec warriors that captured a Quinametzin giant. Credit: Infobae
Curious Lists

10 Facts About The Quinametzin — The Giants of Aztec Mythology

March 8, 2021 - Updated on January 21, 2024
An artist's illustration of a sunken city. Jumpstory.
Curious Lists

10 Things You Should Know About The Lost Sunken City of Dwarka

September 17, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024
Temple Light artist's rendering. Shutterstock.
Curious Lists

Ten Things You Should Know About Saladin’s Ancient Citadel And Its Massive Underground World

January 13, 2021 - Updated on January 21, 2024
A Photograph of the cliffs off he coast if Ireland. Jumpstory.
Curious Lists

Here Are 10 of the Most Mysterious Places to Visit in Ireland

September 24, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Fair Use Notice
  • DMCA / Removal
  • Impressum
  • Contact
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Ownership and Funding Information
  • Impressum
CURIOSMOS.COM

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists