These tablets originate from the late Bronze Age, approximately 1450-1200 BC. These artifacts, among Europe's earliest known instances of written communication, are small clay tablets, generally just a few inches in size. Notably, these tablets were crafted from unbaked clay, indicating they were likely not designed for prolonged use but were instead used for short-term record-keeping such as inventories, administrative notes, and transaction documents. Over time, some tablets have suffered damage or partial loss due to environmental exposure.
Every tablet features inscriptions in Linear B, an early writing system that employs syllabic characters and logograms. Linear B, named alongside the similar but distinct Linear A due to the straight-lined structure of its characters, preexisted the classical Greek alphabet, making it the earliest deciphered script in Europe.
The inscription 'sītopotniāi' provides valuable insight into the religious and societal norms of the Mycenaean era. Upon deciphering, the term 'sītopotniāi'--'ladies of the grain'-- suggested associations with early Greek agricultural deities.
Remarkably, the preservation of these tablets resulted from a fire that inadvertently hardened the clay medium, affording a degree of permanence not originally intended for these documents. This accidental preservation captured invaluable data regarding Mycenaean civilization, including economic systems, governance models, and societal hierarchies. Collectively, these artifacts illuminate the evolution of early written language and its fundamental role in shaping civilizations.
