Title
Lost Languages: The Enigma of the World's Undeciphered Scripts,New
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Undeciphered scripts have long tantalized the public, whether its the possibility of hearing the voices of ancient peoples or the puzzle solvers taste for the challenges posed by breaking codes. Here, Andrew Robinson investigates the most famous examples, beginning with the stories of three great decipherments: Egyptian hieroglyphs, Maya glyphs, and the Minoan Linear B clay tablets. He then covers the important scripts that have yet to be cracked, such as the Etruscan alphabet and Rongorongo from Easter Island.Whether it's the possibility of hearing the voices of ancient peoples or the puzzle solver's taste for the challenges posed by breaking codes, undeciphered scripts have long tantalized the public. Here, Andrew Robinson investigates the most famous examples, beginning with the stories of three great decipherments: Egyptian hieroglyphs, Maya glyphs, and the Minoan Linear B clay tablets.He then tackles the important scripts that have yet to be cracked. Perhaps the greatest challenge is the Indus script, the onl writing of the four 'first' civilizations that cannot be read and a potential key to better understanding the impressive Indus Valley civilization. Then there are the Etruscans, builders of sensational tombs and the cultural conduit through whom the Greek alphabet reached Rome and the rest of Europe. Yet the language spoken by the Etruscans remains wrapped in mystery. And on isolated Easter Island, the Rongorongo script, inscribed on wood with sharks' teeth, has long been an irresistible magnet for ambitious scholars.The struggle to decipher these three scripts and six othersincluding the Phaistos disc of Crete and the Zapotec script of Mexicois recounted with extraordinary depth and erudition in this wonderfully illustrated book. Lost Languages is an archaeological and linguistic detective story that will appeal to anyone interested in ancient peoples and the intricacies of language.Andrew Robinson's many books include The Story of Writing. 350+ color illustrations
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- Q: What is the main topic of 'Lost Languages: The Enigma of the World's Undeciphered Scripts'? A: The book explores undeciphered scripts, highlighting famous examples such as Egyptian hieroglyphs, Maya glyphs, and the Minoan Linear B clay tablets, as well as scripts that remain a mystery, including the Indus script and Rongorongo from Easter Island.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author is Andrew Robinson, who has written extensively on languages and scripts.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 352 pages.
- Q: What is the binding type of 'Lost Languages'? A: The book is available in paperback binding.
- Q: When was 'Lost Languages' published? A: The book was published on April 6, 2009.
- Q: Does the book include illustrations? A: Yes, it features over 350 color illustrations that enhance the understanding of the content.
- Q: What kind of reader would benefit from this book? A: The book is ideal for readers interested in ancient civilizations, archaeology, and linguistics, as it delves into the challenges of deciphering ancient scripts.
- Q: Is 'Lost Languages' suitable for academic use? A: Yes, it provides in-depth research and analysis, making it a valuable resource for students and scholars in fields related to linguistics and archaeology.
- Q: What are some of the undeciphered scripts discussed in the book? A: The book discusses several undeciphered scripts, including the Etruscan alphabet, the Indus script, and the Rongorongo script.
- Q: Can I find this book in digital format? A: Check with retailers for availability; digital formats may vary by publisher and vendor.