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Lost Languages
The Enigma of the World's Undeciphered Scripts
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Lost Languages
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Ideal for readers fascinated by ancient scripts, linguistics enthusiasts, and those intrigued by historical mysteries and scholarly adventures in decipherment.
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Description
Beginning with the stories of three great decipherments—Egyptian hieroglyphs, Minoan Linear B and Mayan glyphs—Lost Languages moves on to dissect the most well-known and enigmatic undeciphered scripts from around the world.
These include the Etruscan alphabet of Italy, the Indus Valley seal script, Rongorongo from remote Easter Island, the Zapotec script of Mexico (probably the first writing system in the Americas), and the unique Phaistos disc of Crete.
Lost Languages reports from the front lines of scholarship where obsessions, genius, occasional delusion, and sometimes bitter rivalry are de rigueur among those currently competing for the rare honour of cracking these ancient codes—and giving voice to forgotten worlds.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Archaeology praises Robinson's infectious enthusiasm that might inspire readers to try deciphering scripts themselves. Focus notes the book's appeal to aspiring linguists intrigued by unsolved mysteries, despite the frustration these enigmatic texts can provoke.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780500288160
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 16 February 2009
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Thames & Hudson Ltd
Illustration: Illustrated in colour and black and white throughout
Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Width: 187.0mm
Height: 232.0mm
Weight: 1110g
Pages: 352
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About the Author
Andrew Robinson has written more than 25 books on the arts and sciences. They include Lost Languages: The Enigma of the World's Undeciphered Scripts, India: A Short History and Earthshock, which won the Association of Earth Science Editors Outstanding Publication Award, plus Earth-Shattering Events . A regular contributor to such magazines as Current World Archaeology, History Today, The Lancet, Nature and Science, he has also been literary editor of The Times Higher Education Supplement and a visiting fellow at the University of Cambridge.
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