This is a puzzle that many have attempted to solve! What is inscribed on the Phaistos Disc?

The Ministry of Culture  informs us that ‘the most famous example of Minoan hieroglyphic writing is the only disc of its kind, discovered in a small room of the Phaistos palace. Dating back to the early Neopalatial period, it is remarkably well-preserved. On both sides, symbols are arranged in a spiral pattern, starting from the periphery and ending at the centre. There are 45 symbols, repeated and grouped to form words, separated by vertical lines. These symbols were impressed onto the clay while still fresh, making the disc the oldest known example of typography. Despite numerous attempts at decipherment, none have been entirely convincing. The prevailing theory among modern researchers suggests that it may represent a religious text or hymn. Interestingly, similar symbols from the same script are found on an axe from Arkalochori.’

The Phaistos Disc is housed in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.

Photo: Region of Crete