Phonetic Attributions of Undeciphered Characters: The Case of *56 in Linear B

After the decipherment of Linear B and the attribution of phonetic values to most signs,

several others still remain undeciphered. Any attempt to reconstruct their phonetic

value is beset with difficulties. In this paper we will attempt to set out some basic

principles for making reconstructions of undeciphered characters in well-studied

scripts. We shall then look specifically at the range of evidence available and the various

theories built around the decipherment of sign *56 trying to construct a strong argument

in favour of one possible phonetic attribution. In doing so we shall comment on the

strengths and weaknesses of the various arguments, thus illuminating the usefulness of

such principles in making a secure attribution.