Michael Ventris Deciphers Linear B
1952 · 20th Century
British architect and self-taught linguist Michael Ventris announced on July 1, 1952, via BBC Radio that he had deciphered Linear B, proving the script recorded an archaic form of Greek five centuries older than Homer. Using statistical analysis of symbol frequency and distribution, Ventris identified Cretan place names among the tablet inscriptions, unlocking the key to the script. His work, later expanded with classicist John Chadwick, demonstrated Greek-speaking civilization on Crete centuries earlier than previously accepted.
Key Figures
Michael VentrisJohn ChadwickAlice Kober
Locations
London
Topics
linguisticsdeciphermentLinear BMycenaean Greekancient scriptsBronze Age Aegean
Connected Events — 3 Connections
Decipherment of Linear B illuminated the relationship between Linear A and B scripts, though Linear A remains undeciphered Linear A Script: Undeciphered Minoan Writing System
Ventris deciphered the Linear B script, proving it recorded Mycenaean Greek Linear B Script: Early Greek Writing System
Jones's comparative method influenced the linguistic analysis that eventually enabled Linear B decipherment William Jones Proposes Indo-European Language Family
The Time Detectives® · Cadet Mission
Investigate This Event
Place it on the timeline. Earn points. Master the connections.
New to The Time Detectives?
Learn what it is →