Some reflections on morphology in the language of the Linear A libation formula

Abstract

Abstract The well-known Minoan libation formula is the richest source of information about the grammar of the language(s) of Linear A that is currently available. The following article will proceed from the assumptions that the language has a Verb-Subject-Object (VSO] word order and a complex polysynthetic verb, and on the basis of these assumptions attempt to draw some conclusions about the morphology, both nominal and verbal, of the language in question. It will attempt to work through the logical possibilities for the elements of the libation formula, and draw conclusions about the most likely interpretations of the morphology of these elements. Such conclusions are necessarily tentative, and in some cases, due to the paucity of available data, it will not be possible to reach any conclusion. However, there will be suggestions for future research, should more information become available.