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CHAPTER 2
ORIGIN AND DATE OF THE PHAISTOS DISC
Dr. R.M. de Jonge ©, drsrmdejonge@hotmail.com

SUMMARY
An accurate description of the Phaistos Disc shows a number of interesting features of
this beautiful artifact. The disc turns out to be descended from Crete, designed and
probably also made in the Palace of Phaistos, where it was ultimately found. It dates from
the 27th year of reign of the Egyptian King Thutmose III (18th Dynasty, New Kingdom),
which is at the end of the New Palace Culture in Crete, in c.1458 BC. The end of this
culture has been caused by a civil war, because of political mistakes of the government of
Crete.

2.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE DISC
The round disc of Phaistos has a diameter of about 162 mm (6.4 inches), and a thickness
of c.20 mm (0.8 inches)(Refs.1-3,25,26,30). It has been made from very fine-grained
ceramics, fired at a high temperature. Before this process, on both sides numerous
symbols have been impressed with seals in the yet moist clay (Figs.2.1&2.2). This has
been done in a very careful and sophisticated manner. It is the first example of movable
type in the world. These symbols have a diameter of only about 10 mm (0.4 inches). In
spite of their small size, these are beautifully modeled and very detailed. In fact, each
symbol is a stamp. In view of the old date of the Phaistos Disc, these stamps are very
particular, especially when the high number is considered that have been assembled here.
The original seals, presumely carved of high quality hard wood (Ch.4), have never been
found, and are probably lost.

On both sides of the disc the symbols were applied one after the other in the shape of a
spiral, at which the series of symbols were separated from each other by a continuing
spiral-shaped line. The linear arrangement of the signs points directly to a script (Ch.5).
Between the spiral-shaped lines are small pieces of line at right angles, obviously
deviding the text into "passages". This disc with local “hieroglyphic" script is almost
unique, because artifacts with similar symbols are extremely rare (Refs.7,8,28).

When looking from the edge towards the center of the disc, the majority of the signs are
in an upright position. As a consequence, we should consider the text in this direction,
and not the other way around. When following the signs from the center along the spiral
to the outside, the vast majority of people and animals look to the front. As a
consequence, we should read the text in this direction (counterclockwise), and not the
other way around. In Figs.2.1&2.2 the passages are numbered in this direction, for
easier identification.

At some sections of the spiral (passages), the first symbol is accented with a slanting
piece of line at the bottom. Obviously, this piece of line shows that here a new paragraph
is starting. At the end of each spiral is a vertical piece of line with dots. Obviously, this
piece of line marks the end of the text on that side.

Many investigators called the face starting with the “flower” in the center the front side,
or side A. This side has the highest number of symbols, passages, paragraphs, and turns
of the spiral. As a consequence, the other face is than the back side, or side B. We will
start with this assumption, and we will see later that this turns out to be correct (Ch.5).
Finally, both sides of the disc consist of two different parts, which is not directly obvious.
As can be seen in Figs.2.1&2.2, each side consists of an Inner Part and an Edge. This
distinction plays a role in some of the chapters of this book.




Fig.2.1
Front side A of the Phaistos Disc
(Crete, c.1458 BC) (Courtesy L. Godart, Ref.1)

2.2 ORIGIN
Crete
The Phaistos Disc was found in the ruins of the Palace of Phaistos in southern Crete,
during a local excavation directed by the Italian archaeologist Luigi Pernier, in 1908,
about a century ago (Refs.1,3). The excavation took place in the NE corner of the com-
plex (Figs.1.1-1.3), close to the northern edge, in Room 8, just in front of an EW-oriented
row of much smaller rooms, separated from each other by partition walls. Room 8 is a
co-called “casella”, NS-oriented, having a length of about 3 meters, and a width of c.1
meter. While removing earth and debris in its NW corner, co-workers of the team found
the disc some 50 cm above bedrock, the front side of it facing upwards (Refs.25-27).

In spite of all these details, which may be very important, there is some doubt about the
real origin of the disc. The artifact is rather small, so there is a chance it has been
imported in Crete from abroad. The problem is complicated, because the script on it is
almost unique. In 1992 a piece of ceramics, containing a few small but identical groups
of symbols, turned up in a cellar of a house in the town of Vladikavkas, North Ossetia
(Refs.7,8,28). Obviously, it was a test piece from preliminary attempts in the process of
making the Phaistos Disc. Imprints of exactly the same symbols forming another text
have never been found.

The numbers of passages on both sides of the disc turn out to have geographic meanings
(Refs.4-6,19-24). The number of passages on side A is 31, corresponding to the latitude
of the northern Nile Delta, at 31°N. The number of passages on side B is 30,
corresponding to the latitude of the southern Nile Delta, at 30°N. Chapter 5 shows that
the Phaistos Disc contains an ideographic script. The translated text of it deals with
government and religion. The most important passages A3 and A15 on the front side both
read “the Theory of the Holy Kings of Lower and Upper Egypt”.

These important facts illustrate the enormous influence of the Egyptian civilization in the
Eastern Mediterranean, and beyond (Refs.12-18). They might also suggest an Egyptian
provenance of the disc. However, this last statement is not correct, because the Egyptians
had their own hieroglyphic and hieratic scripts. The symbols on the Phaistos Disc do not
resemble these at all. The structure of this script is also totally different. The suggestion
that Egyptians created an entirely new, ideographic script on the Phaistos Disc for one
special occasion, must be entirely excluded.

The disc also shows the geographic location of the island of Crete. The numbers of turns
of the spirals on both sides have geographic meanings, too. The 5 and 4 turns twice
encode the latitude of Crete above the Nile Delta, at 30+5= 35°N, or 31+4= 35°N. Close
inspection of the disc reveils there are 45 different symbols (Fig.2.3, Table 2.2). Again,
the 5 turns of the front side and the 45 different symbols confirm the location of Crete: at
a sailing distance of 5dl= 5 moiras or 300 NM, and at a sailing direction of 45°NW from
the Nile Delta (1 dl= 1 distance line= 1°= 1 Egyptian moira= 60 Nautical Miles,
Refs.4-6,19-24). These calculations strongly confirm our first idea of a Cretan
provenance.

The features of the 45 different symbols form another important clue about the origin of
the disc. Representations of flowers like the "rosettes" (Table 2.2, #38) are very common
on Crete. Parallels for this eight-petalled rosette are the large flowers decorating the
famous Kamares ware krater from Phaistos, dated c.1750 BC (Ref.1). The symbol of the
"papyrus" (#37) looks like similar signs on wall paintings on the neighboring island of
Thera, c.100km (55 NM) north of Crete. The symbol of the "King’s grave" (#21) already
dates from the Old Palace Culture in Crete, because Godart (Ref.1) shows a clay seal
very similar to this image, which has been found in Phaistos, dated from this time period.
A seal of the shape of the "bull's leg" (#28), made of bronze, has been found in
Apodoulou (c.1750 BC), at a distance of 25km from Phaistos. Another five seals with
bull's leg devices have been found elsewhere in Crete, at Malia and Lenta.

A gold ring from Mochlos, eastern Crete, with a representation of a Minoan ship (c.1450
BC, Ref.1), resembles the symbol of the "boat" (#25) of the Phaistos Disc. A series of
images of a cat, similar to the one on the disc (#29), can be seen on some vases from
Malia. The famous figurine of the Snake Goddess from Knossos has a little feline on her
head, strongly reminding of the cat on our disc, too. According to Pernier (Ref.3), the
“mattock” or pick (#15) is a typical Cretan artifact. A similar mattock in bronze was
found at Phaistos, and a second one elsewhere on the island.

The symbol of the "ordinary man" (#3) shows a male head with tattooed or face-painted
cheek. Pernier (Ref.3) shows this practice can be seen on various clay figurines from
Phaistos and Hagia Triada, confirming the origin of the disc. The image of the “glove” or
gauntlet (#8) is visible on a vase from Hagia Triada, close to Phaistos, and dated c.1450
BC (Refs.1,3). The topless "virgin" or Queen (#6) is a typical Cretan phenomenon. The
lack of any shame in this respect was typical for Crete during the Minoan Culture
(Refs.9-11,29). Each of these nine or ten different symbols, about 20% of its total
number, is a more or less strong indication that the Phaistos Disc had been made in Crete.
However, we consider the combination of the nine symbols together as a proof of it.

A beautiful gold ring was found by Sir Arthur Evans near Knossos (Mavro Spilio), in
1926. It shows a small disc with a Linear A inscription of 19 signs, definitely from Crete.
The ring is interesting, because the inscription is performed in the shape of a spiral,
counterclockwise, similar to the Phaistos Disc. We were able to date the ring (Ch.10):
c.1611 BC (New Palace Culture). The design of the Phaistos Disc may even have been
based on this ring. It confirms the Cretan provenance of the disc.

A bronze axe from the Arkalochori Cave in eastern Crete, dated c.1500 BC, contains a
rare inscription of 15 symbols, 10 of which are different. Although not proven, both axe
and inscription are considered of Cretan provenance. Two symbols closely resemble the
plane (#19) and the branch (#35) of the Phaistos Disc, three other signs are similar. The
symbols also form a ideographic script, which has been deciphered (Ch.10).
Fig.2.2
Back side B of the Phaistos Disc
(Crete, c.1458 BC) (Courtesy L. Godart, Ref.1)

Palace of Phaistos
Chapter 5 shows the Phaistos Disc describes the religion of Crete. This means the disc
must have been designed in one of the religious complexes on the island. The disc itself
shows there were eight of these complexes (Ch.3). However, Chapter 5 also shows the
disc deals with the government of the people of Crete. The symbol of the “King” (#2) is
the most prominent one of the disc, because its frequency of occurence is to the tune of
19x (Table 2.2). This means the disc must have been designed in one of the most
important complexes. Chapter 3 shows the complexes were devided into two catagories,
which we have called the “palaces” (#14), and the less important “temples” (#24). The
symbol of the “palace” occurs twice on the disc, so there were two major palaces on
Crete. These turn out to be Knossos and Phaistos (Ch.3), which is confirmed in the
literature (Refs.9-11,27).

Chapter 3 provides detailed information about the population numbers around the palaces
and temples, including the total population of Crete. The disc also gives important
information about the territory of the island. Chapter 4 shows the disc gives an incredible
amount of information about daily life on Crete, and Chapter 6 contains a complete
history of the island. All these data form additional proof of the Cretan provenance.
When we consider the total information encoded on the disc, we could suppose the disc
has been made in Knossos, by far the most important governmental center on the island,
twice as big as Phaistos. It appears to be confirmed by the prominent position of the
Palace of Knossos on the disc (Ch.3). It is shown in the long passage A9 (symbol #14),
on the front side.

However, is it really true that the disc was made in Knossos, and subsequently
transported to Phaistos, where it ultimately was found? This is a difficult question. Let us
see if we can solve this problem. The Palace of Phaistos is shown in passage B17 on the
back side (Fig.2.2, Ch.3). The back side has 4 turns, encoding the latitude of Crete, 4°
above the Mediterranean coast of the northern Nile Delta, at 31+4= 35°N. This side gives
the latitude of Crete in a better way than the front side with the Palace of Knossos, having
5 turns.

Figs.2.1&2.2 show the correct orientations of both sides, also from a geographical point
of view. So, the last passages A31 and B30 at the bottom of the disc both finish in the
south. This means the Palace of Phaistos in passage B17 is indicated in a correct way (see
Figs.1.1&2.2), in the SSW part of the island, near the coast. However, the Palace of
Knossos in A9 on the front side is geographically indicated in a wrong way
(Figs.1.1&2.1).

Finally, passage B17, with the Palace of Phaistos, contains the symbol of a “saw” (#16),
which could be translated by “to make” (the Phaistos Disc). It contains a clue about the
origin of the disc. However, passage A9 with the Palace of Knossos does not contain a
similar symbol, nor any clue. Our conclusion is simple: Knossos is shown on the front
side, because it is the most important palace of Crete. However, in a geographical sense
the Palace of Phaistos is indicated in a better way, and it is accompanied by a hint,
because here the famous Phaistos Disc was made!

The disc is descended from Crete, and it was designed in the Palace of Phaistos, where it
was also found. However, has it also been fabricated in this Palace? This less important
question may also be answered. The above paragraph strongly suggests it is, but there is
more. The Phaistos Disc has been beautifully made, in an extremely accurate way. This
book will show that the so-called small errors (Ref.1), like the long separation line
between passages B23 and B24, and the extra lines in B3 and A27, have been made on
purpose, and not by accident (see Figs.2.1&2.2). It looks like the designer himself was
also responsible for making the disc. This means that, probably, the disc has been made
in the Palace of Phaistos, or may be it its immediate surroundings. However, it cannot be
totally excluded the disc has been fabricated somewhere else on the island.
Fig.2.3
Table of the signs of the Phaistos Disc
(Crete, c.1458 BC) (Courtesy L. Godart, Ref.1)

2.3 DATE
The front side has 31 passages, corresponding to the northern Nile Delta, at 31°N, and the
back side has 30 passages, corresponding to the southern Nile Delta, at 30°N
(Figs.2.1&2.2). So, the Phaistos Disc strongly emphasizes the ties of Crete with nearby
Egypt, the greatest civilization on Earth (Refs.12-18). Both sides of the disc have an
Inner Part and an Edge. The inner part of each side contains 18 passages, twice encoding
the important 18th Dynasty of Egypt, at the start of the New Kingdom, which lasted
officially from 1580 to 1314 BC.

On the front side the most important phrase of the disc, "The Theory of the Holy Kings
of Lower and Upper Egypt", occurs in passages A3 and A15, together forming 3+15= 18
units, again confirming the 18th Dynasty (Ch.7). On the back side the “Queen” occurs in
the similar passages B3 and B15, together forming 3+15= 18 units, once again
confirming the 18th Dynasty of Queen Hatshepsut. So, it has been indicated four times,
that the disc has been made during this Egyptian dynasty (Table 2.3).

The numbers of passages on both sides of the Disc also turn out to represent years of
generations. The front side appears to correspond with a first generation of 31 years (31
passages), and the back side encodes a second generation of 30 years (30 passages). So,
as far as history is concerned, the back side describes a more recent time period (Ch.6).
The back side contains 5 “Kings” and 2 “Queens”, both of which are representing Queen
Hatshepsut (see the above paragraph). So in total this side shows 5+1= 6 Rulers, instead
of 7 Rulers. It suggests the 18th Dynasty had a total of 6 Rulers, when the disc was made.
According to the literature of ancient Egypt, the 6th Ruler of the 18th Dynasty was the
well-known King Thutmose III, who reigned from 1485 to 1451 BC. So, it appears the
Phaistos Disc has been made in the short time period of 34 years during his reign. But
there is more. The text of the inner part of 18 passages on this side consists of 6
paragraphs (Table 2.1), confirming the total number of 6 Rulers of the 18th Dynasty.

The edge of the front side, around the 18 passages inside, contains 5 “Kings” and 1
“Queen”, together 5+1= 6 Rulers, once again confirming it. Passage A18 of the inner part
represents the 18th Dynasty. This passage contains 6 symbols, apparently encoding these
6 Rulers. The last symbol is a “King”, confirming for the fourth time the disc has been
made during the reign of the 6th Ruler, Thutmose III (Table 2.3).

The tomb of Rekhmire, the Grand Vizier of Thutmose III, is located in Thebes, Egypt.
On its walls gift-bearing Cretans are seen, clad in loincloths, which are very similar to
those worn by the "messenger" (#1) on our disc. Godart (Ref.1) proves these images date
between 1470 and 1450 BC. The "ordinary man" (#3) has a head with a tattooed or face-
painted cheek. Vercoutter (Ref.1) shows an identical figure-eight design under the eye of
a person in the same tomb of Rekhmire, confirming the date (1470-1450 BC).

Vercoutter also shows a bold headed man in the tomb of Menkheperraseneb, the second
Grand Vizier of Thutmose III. He precedes all the Aegeans and pays homage to the
Pharaoh in the name of Crete. Above him is an inscription "Wr n Ktiw", meaning "King
of the land of Keftiu", or "King of Crete". The bold headed man resembles the symbols
of both the "messenger" and the "ordinary man" on the disc. It confirms the origin of the
disc, as well as the date of it, c.1450 BC. In scenes of contest on a high, narrow vase from
Hagia Triada, at a distance of c.3km (2 miles) from Phaistos, boxers are visible with their
hands protected by “gloves” very similar to those shown on the disc (#8, Ref.1). The vase
dates from c.1450 BC, which confirms the date of the disc.

The unique Disc of Phaistos was found in the ruins of an abandoned Minoan palace.
Everything indicates it was a local product of the native Minoan Culture (Refs.1,2). The
text starts in the center of the front side with a cry of emergency (Fig.2.1, A1-4, Ch.5):
"Please, proclaim loudly, and spread by force of law, the Theory of the Holy Kings of
Lower and Upper Egypt. Please, proclaim it loudly." This first paragraph shows exactly
when the Phaistos Disc was made, namely at a severe political crisis, at the beginning of
a civil war. It marks the end of the so-called New Palace Culture of the Cretan Civiliza-
tion, which is well-known in the archaeological literature. So, the date can be further
narrowed down to 1450 ± 10 BC.

It explains why this disc is so unique. The people that were involved in the production of
more copies of the disc, fled or were killed, and in the general confusion the 45 precious
seals were stolen, burnt, or simply lost. It also shows why the characters of the disc were
imprinted, and not carved. The 45 seals (Fig.2.3) were meant for production of other
ceramic artifacts with similar religious texts. The first paragraph of the text, just quoted,
confirms this goal. The next paragraph continues with: “Fix it down in writing, and
spread by force of law, the sovereignty of the King“ (A5,6, Ch.5). The 45 symbols were
the official tools for starting a new script, but it never got a chance to develop.

The end of the New Palace Culture in Crete has not been caused by an eruption of the
vulcano of Thera, c.100km (55 NM) north of Crete, nor by an earthquake in the eastern
Mediterranean, and not by a collision of the Earth with extra-terrestial material from out
of space (Refs.10,11). The end of the old civilization of Crete has been caused by a civil
war, because of serious political mistakes of the government. The text of the Phaistos
Disc clearly points into this direction. The Palace of Knossos was not destroyed during
this civil war, which, again, excludes the possibility of a catastrophe.

After the civil war of c.1450 BC, the power of Crete strongly declined, and the
Mycenaean Culture started to expand from mainland Greece. In view of the translation of
the Phaistos Disc (Ch.5), it can be excluded that this script was invented by this new
culture, far away from its political center. If the Mycenaeans invented it, the same script
would have appeared without doubt later and elsewhere, too. The lack of any such finds,
especially from the neighboring area of the Peloponnesus, confirms it (Refs.1,9-11).

Pernier (Ref.3) compared the symbol of the "temple" (#24) on the disc with the Punt
huts, carved on the walls of the temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir-el-Bahari, in Egypt.
Passage B18 on the back side contains 5 symbols, two of which are “temples” (#24).
These symbolize the famous temples of the 5th Ruler of the 18th Dynasty, Queen
Hatshepsut. So, the remark of Pernier was quite close to the truth. She was the last ruler
(1516-1485 BC), who passed away before Thutmose III. It confirms again the approx-
imate date of the Phaistos Disc.

The 30 passages of the back side represent the 30 years of the last generation, before the
civil war. The last symbols of passage B3 are a “Queen” and a “King”. Apparently, the
passage represents the end of reign of Queen Hatshepsut, in 1485, and the start of King
Thutmose III. After passage B3, there are 27 passages left. So, the Phaistos Disc has been
made in the 30-3= 27th year of government of Thutmose III. He is shown in the last
passage B30, which represents the year of 1485-27= 1458 BC.

So, at the start of the civil war in Crete, the 18th Dynasty in Egypt, and the New
Kingdom, lasted from 1580 to 1458, which is 122 years. Apparently, these years are
represented by the 122 symbols of side A (dropping the 1st symbol, the “flower”).
Passage A24 also contains a “Queen” and a “King”. So, also this passage turns out to
represent the end of reign of Queen Hatshepsut, in 1485, and the start of King Thutmose
III. After the “Queen” and her “shield” are 27 symbols, confirming the Phaistos Disc has
been made in the 27th year of government of Thutmose III. He is shown as the last
symbol of passage A31, which represents the year of 1485-27= 1458 BC.

Passage A27 on the front side shows King Thutmose III, confirming his present, 27th
year of reign. The symbol of the “King” is one of the last 27 symbols on side A, repre-
senting his 27 years of government. The “scraper” (#42) in passage B22 on the back side
contains 27 dots, confirming it. The triangular grater (#43) in passage B25 also has 27
dots, confirming it again. Both passages B22 and B25 belong to the last 27 passages on
side B, again representing the 27 years of reign of Thutmose III.
2.4 DISCUSSION
During the excavation of the Phaistos Disc, a Linear A tablet, known as PH 1, was found
in the same Room 8 (Refs.1,30). This tablet was dated c.1700 BC, which is at the end of
the Old Palace Culture. The tablet was situated at more or less the same depth, at a
distance of only a few centimeters from the disc. Because of this coincidence, the
Phaistos Disc has also been dated c.1700 BC, which is the usual date mentioned in the
literature. However, this chapter shows the Phaistos Disc dates from c.1458 BC, which is
almost 250 years later, at the end of the New Palace Culture. It was just before the
destruction of almost all the palaces and temples during the civil war on Crete.


TABLE 2.1

IMPORTANT DATA OF THE PHAISTOS DISC (c.1458 BC)
FRONT SIDE (SIDE A) (Fig.2.1)

Inner Part and Edge (IP+E)
Number of symbols: 73+(49+1)= 123
Number of symbols sideways (deviating): 3
Number of symbols upside down (deviating): 3
Number of passages: 18+13= 31
Number of turns of the spiral: 4+1= 5
Number of dots at the end: 5
Number of paragraphs: 7+4= 11

BACK SIDE (SIDE B) (Fig.2.2)

Inner Part and Edge (IP+E)
Number of symbols: 70+49= 119
Number of symbols sideways (deviating): 2
Number of symbols upside down (deviating): 2
Number of passages: 18+12= 30
Number of turns of the spiral: 3+1= 4
Number of dots at the end: 4 (not 5)
Number of paragraphs: 6+3= 9

BOTH SIDES (A+B)

Sight direction to the text: from the edge to the center.
Read direction of the text: from the center along the spiral to the
Edge (against the daily movement of the Sun).
Number of symbols: 123+119= 242
Number of symbols sideways (deviating): 3+2= 5
Number of symbols upside down (deviating): 3+2= 5
Number of passages: 31+30= 61
Number of turns of the spiral: 5+4= 9
Number of dots at the end: 5+4= 9
Number of paragraphs: 11+9= 20
TABLE 2.2

THE SYMBOLS ON THE PHAISTOS DISC (Fig.2.3),
AND THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE ON
SIDES A, B, AND A+B (c.1458 BC)
SYMBOLS          (IP,E / IP,E)* A / B A+B

1 Messenger           4,2 / 2,3   6    5    11
2 King                9,5 / 2,3   14   5    19
3 Man                 2,0 / 0,0   2    0    2
4 Prisoner            0,1 / 0,0   1    0    1
5 Child               0,0 / 0,1   0    1    1
6 Queen               1,1 / 2,0   2    2    4
7 Cover               0,3 /11,4   3    15   18
8 Glove               0,1 / 4,0   1    4    5
9 Tiara               0,0 / 2,0   0    2    2
10 Burin              4,0 / 0,0   4    0    4
11 Bow                0,1 / 0,0   1    0    1
12 Shield             8,7 / 0,2   15   2    17
13 Scroll of the law 2,1 / 1,2    3    3    6
14 Palace             1,0 / 1,0   1    1    2
15 Mattock            0,0 / 0,1   0    1    1
16 Saw                0,0 / 1,1   0    2    2
17 Lid               1,(1)/0,0    2    0    2
18 Square             4,2 / 4,2   6    6    12
19 Plane              2,1 / 0,0   3    0    3
20 Mummy              0,0 / 1,1   0    2    2
21 Grave              2,0 / 0,0   2    0    2
22 Religion           0,0 / 2,3   0    5    5
23 Hammer             4,1 / 4,2   5    6    11
24 Temple             0,1 / 3,2   1    5    6
25 Boat               2,0 / 2,3   2    5    7
26 Horn               4,1 / 0,1   5    1    6
27 Corpse             8,2 / 2,3   10   5    15
28 Hoof               2,0 / 0,0   2    0    2
29 Cat                0,3 / 8,0   3    8    11
30 Ram                0,0 / 1,0   0    1    1
31 Falcon             4,1 / 0,0   5    0    5
32 Dove               1,1 / 1,0   2    1    3
33 Fish               1,1 / 2,2   2    4    6
34 Bee                0,1 / 2,0   1    2    3
35 Branch             3,2 / 4,2   5    6    11
36 Vine-tendril       0,0 / 3,1   0    4    4
37 Papyrus            2,0 / 0,2   2    2    4
38 Flower             2,1 / 0,1   3    1    4
39 Arrow              0,1 / 2,1   1    3    4
40 Screen             0,3 / 0,3   3    3    6
41 Flute              0,2 / 0,0   2    0    2
42 Scraper            0,0 / 0,1   0    1    1
43 Grater              0,0 / 0,1    0    1       1
44 Chopper             0,1 / 0,0    1    0       1
45 Waterway            0,2 / 3,1    2    4       6

SIDES                                 A/B         A+B
Total                                123 119      242

* Sides A/B: IP= Inner Part, E= Edge



TABLE 2.3

THE DATE OF THE PHAISTOS DISC: 1458 BC

EGYPT, Nile Delta:
Side A: 31 passages= 31°N
Side B: 30 passages= 30°N

Inner part A: 18 passages= 18th Dynasty
Inner part B: 18 passages= 18th Dynasty
Passages A with King Theory: 3+15= 18 units= 18th Dynasty
Passages B with Queen Hatshepsut: 3+15= 18 units= 18th Dynasty
Date: 1580-1314 BC(*)

Side B: 5 Kings and 1 Queen= 6 Rulers: Thutmose III
Inner part B : 6 paragraphs= 6 Rulers: Thutmose III
Edge A: 5 Kings and 1 Queen= 6 Rulers: Thutmose III
Passage A18 (Dynasty), 6th symbol= King: Thutmose III
Date: 1485-1451 BC(*)

The clothes of the "messenger" and the figure-eight design of the "ordinary man" seen in
the tomb of Rekhmire, in Thebe, Egypt. Date: 1470-1450 BC(*).

Bold headed man similar to the “messenger” and the “ordinary man” seen in tomb of
Menkheperraseneb, in Thebe, Egypt, c.1450 BC, and the "gauntlet" seen on vase from
Hagia Triada, close to Phaistos, dated c.1450 BC(*).

The text of the 1st paragraph of side A prooves the disc has been made at the start of a
civil war, at the end of the New Palace Culture in Crete, 1450 ± 10 BC(*).

Passage B3 with Queen Hatshepsut and a King shows the disc has been made in the
30-3= 27th year of government of King Thutmose III, 1485-27= 1458 BC. After Queen
Hatshepsut and her shield in passage A24 are 27 symbols, confirming the disc has been
made in the 27th year of government of King Thutmose III, 1485-27= 1458 BC.

* Date according to archaeological research


LITERATURE (Ch.2)
1. Godart, L., The Phaistos Disc, The Enigma of an Aegean Script, Editions Itanos, 1995 (ISBN
960-7549-02-3).
2. Duhoux, Y., Le disque de Phaistos, Louvain-le-Neuve 1978. (French)
3. Pernier, L., Il disco di Phaestos con caratteri pittografici, Ausonia III (1908), 255-302. (Italian)
4. De Jonge, R.M., and Wakefield, J.S, How the Sungod Reached America, A Guide to Megalithic Sites,
MCS Inc., 2002 (ISBN 0-917054-19-9). Available: MCS Inc., Box 3392, Kirkland, Wa 98083-33-92,
also on CD.
5. De Jonge, R.M., and IJzereef, G.F., Exhibition: The Megalithic Inscriptions of Western Europe, 1996.
6. De Jonge, R.M., and IJzereef, G.F., De Stenen Spreken, Kosmos Z&K, Utrecht/Antwerpen, 1996
(ISBN 90-215-2846-0). (Dutch)
7. The Tablet of Vladikavkaz, Journal L'archeologue, Nr.55, Aout-Septembre 2001, "Une enigme
archeolo-gique du Caucase Septentrional". (French)
8. D'Ossetie et d'alentour nr.9, Paris, 2001, par V.A. Kouznetsov traduit du russe par Iaroslav Lebedynsky.
(French)
9. People of the Stone Age: Hunter-gatherers and Early Farmers, Weldon Owen Pty Limited, McMahons
Point, Australia (1995).
10. Old World Civilizations, The Rise of Cities and States, The Illustrated History of Humankind, Weldon
Owen Pty Limited, McMahons Point, Australia (1995).
11. Zwart, A.H. e.a., De Oude Grieken, 7000 Jaar Wereldgeschiedenis, Lekturama, Rotterdam, 1977.
(Dutch)
12. Siliotti, A., Egypt, Temples, People and Gods, Bergamo, Italy, 1997.
13. Kemp, B.J., Ancient Egypt, Anatomy of a Civilization, London, Routledge, 1991.
14. Ancient Egypt, National Geographic Maps, Supplement to the National Geographic Magazine, April,
2001.
15. Adams, B., and Cialowicz, K., Protodynastic Egypt, Shire Egyptology, Princes Risborough, 1997.
16. Tompkins, P., Secrets of the Great Pyramid, Harper & Row, London, 1971 (ISBN 0-06-090631-6)(Dr.
Stecchini).
17. Hart, G., A Dictionary of Egyptian Gods and Goddes ses, Routledge, London, 1986 (ISBN
0-7102-0167-2).
18. Breasted, J.H., Ancient Records of Egypt, Vol.2: The Eighteenth Dynasty, London, 1988.
19. De Jonge, R.M., and Wakefield, J.S., The Discovery of the Atlantic Islands, Migration & Diffusion,
Vol.3, No.11, pgs.69-109 (2002).
20. De Jonge, R.M., and Wakefield, J.S., The Three Rivers Petroglyph, A Guidepost for River Travel in
America, Migration & Diffusion, Vol.3, No.12, pgs.74-100 (2002).
21. De Jonge, R.M., and Wakefield, J.S., A Nautical Center for Crossing the Ocean, America’s
Stonehenge, New Hampshire, c.2200 BC, Migration & Diffusion, Vol.4, No.15, pgs.60-100 (2002).
22. De Jonge, R.M., and Wakefield, J.S., Ancient American, Germany’s Bronze Age Disc Reveals Trans-
atlantic Seafaring, Vol.9, No.55, pgs.18-20 (2004).
23. De Jonge, R.M., and Wakefield, J.S., The Disc of Nebra, Germany, c.1600 BC, Migration &
Diffusion, Vol.5, No.17, pgs.32-39 (2004).
24. De Jonge, R.M., and Wakefield, J.S., The Monument of Ales Stenar, A Sunship to the Realm of the
Dead, Sweden, c.500 BC, Migration & Diffusion, Vol.5, No.19, pgs.94-109 (2004).
25. Miller, J., The Phaistos Disk, Ancient American, March/April 1994, p.37.
26. Grimes, J.P., Ancient American, Nr.12, p.35.
27. Bayley, H., The Lost Language of Symbolism, Citadel Press 1990, reprint (ISBN 0-8065-1100-1).
28. Kousnetzov,V.A., "Disque de Vladikavkaz", L'Archeologue no.52, Fevrier-Mars, pgs.26,27
(2001). (French)
29. Willetts, R.F., The Civilization of Ancient Crete, Phoenix Press, New York (1976) (ISBN
1-84212-746-2).
30. Covey, C., Fischer vs. Fell Phaistos Disk Decipherments, Midw. Epigr. Newsl., Vol.19, Nr.4 (2002).

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Solving Puzzles Benefits Everyone (English).pptx
 

The Origin and Date of the Phaistos Disc

  • 1. CHAPTER 2 ORIGIN AND DATE OF THE PHAISTOS DISC Dr. R.M. de Jonge ©, drsrmdejonge@hotmail.com SUMMARY An accurate description of the Phaistos Disc shows a number of interesting features of this beautiful artifact. The disc turns out to be descended from Crete, designed and probably also made in the Palace of Phaistos, where it was ultimately found. It dates from the 27th year of reign of the Egyptian King Thutmose III (18th Dynasty, New Kingdom), which is at the end of the New Palace Culture in Crete, in c.1458 BC. The end of this culture has been caused by a civil war, because of political mistakes of the government of Crete. 2.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE DISC The round disc of Phaistos has a diameter of about 162 mm (6.4 inches), and a thickness of c.20 mm (0.8 inches)(Refs.1-3,25,26,30). It has been made from very fine-grained ceramics, fired at a high temperature. Before this process, on both sides numerous symbols have been impressed with seals in the yet moist clay (Figs.2.1&2.2). This has been done in a very careful and sophisticated manner. It is the first example of movable type in the world. These symbols have a diameter of only about 10 mm (0.4 inches). In spite of their small size, these are beautifully modeled and very detailed. In fact, each symbol is a stamp. In view of the old date of the Phaistos Disc, these stamps are very particular, especially when the high number is considered that have been assembled here. The original seals, presumely carved of high quality hard wood (Ch.4), have never been found, and are probably lost. On both sides of the disc the symbols were applied one after the other in the shape of a spiral, at which the series of symbols were separated from each other by a continuing spiral-shaped line. The linear arrangement of the signs points directly to a script (Ch.5). Between the spiral-shaped lines are small pieces of line at right angles, obviously deviding the text into "passages". This disc with local “hieroglyphic" script is almost unique, because artifacts with similar symbols are extremely rare (Refs.7,8,28). When looking from the edge towards the center of the disc, the majority of the signs are in an upright position. As a consequence, we should consider the text in this direction, and not the other way around. When following the signs from the center along the spiral to the outside, the vast majority of people and animals look to the front. As a consequence, we should read the text in this direction (counterclockwise), and not the other way around. In Figs.2.1&2.2 the passages are numbered in this direction, for easier identification. At some sections of the spiral (passages), the first symbol is accented with a slanting piece of line at the bottom. Obviously, this piece of line shows that here a new paragraph is starting. At the end of each spiral is a vertical piece of line with dots. Obviously, this piece of line marks the end of the text on that side. Many investigators called the face starting with the “flower” in the center the front side, or side A. This side has the highest number of symbols, passages, paragraphs, and turns of the spiral. As a consequence, the other face is than the back side, or side B. We will
  • 2. start with this assumption, and we will see later that this turns out to be correct (Ch.5). Finally, both sides of the disc consist of two different parts, which is not directly obvious. As can be seen in Figs.2.1&2.2, each side consists of an Inner Part and an Edge. This distinction plays a role in some of the chapters of this book. Fig.2.1 Front side A of the Phaistos Disc (Crete, c.1458 BC) (Courtesy L. Godart, Ref.1) 2.2 ORIGIN Crete The Phaistos Disc was found in the ruins of the Palace of Phaistos in southern Crete, during a local excavation directed by the Italian archaeologist Luigi Pernier, in 1908, about a century ago (Refs.1,3). The excavation took place in the NE corner of the com- plex (Figs.1.1-1.3), close to the northern edge, in Room 8, just in front of an EW-oriented row of much smaller rooms, separated from each other by partition walls. Room 8 is a co-called “casella”, NS-oriented, having a length of about 3 meters, and a width of c.1 meter. While removing earth and debris in its NW corner, co-workers of the team found
  • 3. the disc some 50 cm above bedrock, the front side of it facing upwards (Refs.25-27). In spite of all these details, which may be very important, there is some doubt about the real origin of the disc. The artifact is rather small, so there is a chance it has been imported in Crete from abroad. The problem is complicated, because the script on it is almost unique. In 1992 a piece of ceramics, containing a few small but identical groups of symbols, turned up in a cellar of a house in the town of Vladikavkas, North Ossetia (Refs.7,8,28). Obviously, it was a test piece from preliminary attempts in the process of making the Phaistos Disc. Imprints of exactly the same symbols forming another text have never been found. The numbers of passages on both sides of the disc turn out to have geographic meanings (Refs.4-6,19-24). The number of passages on side A is 31, corresponding to the latitude of the northern Nile Delta, at 31°N. The number of passages on side B is 30, corresponding to the latitude of the southern Nile Delta, at 30°N. Chapter 5 shows that the Phaistos Disc contains an ideographic script. The translated text of it deals with government and religion. The most important passages A3 and A15 on the front side both read “the Theory of the Holy Kings of Lower and Upper Egypt”. These important facts illustrate the enormous influence of the Egyptian civilization in the Eastern Mediterranean, and beyond (Refs.12-18). They might also suggest an Egyptian provenance of the disc. However, this last statement is not correct, because the Egyptians had their own hieroglyphic and hieratic scripts. The symbols on the Phaistos Disc do not resemble these at all. The structure of this script is also totally different. The suggestion that Egyptians created an entirely new, ideographic script on the Phaistos Disc for one special occasion, must be entirely excluded. The disc also shows the geographic location of the island of Crete. The numbers of turns of the spirals on both sides have geographic meanings, too. The 5 and 4 turns twice encode the latitude of Crete above the Nile Delta, at 30+5= 35°N, or 31+4= 35°N. Close inspection of the disc reveils there are 45 different symbols (Fig.2.3, Table 2.2). Again, the 5 turns of the front side and the 45 different symbols confirm the location of Crete: at a sailing distance of 5dl= 5 moiras or 300 NM, and at a sailing direction of 45°NW from the Nile Delta (1 dl= 1 distance line= 1°= 1 Egyptian moira= 60 Nautical Miles, Refs.4-6,19-24). These calculations strongly confirm our first idea of a Cretan provenance. The features of the 45 different symbols form another important clue about the origin of the disc. Representations of flowers like the "rosettes" (Table 2.2, #38) are very common on Crete. Parallels for this eight-petalled rosette are the large flowers decorating the famous Kamares ware krater from Phaistos, dated c.1750 BC (Ref.1). The symbol of the "papyrus" (#37) looks like similar signs on wall paintings on the neighboring island of Thera, c.100km (55 NM) north of Crete. The symbol of the "King’s grave" (#21) already dates from the Old Palace Culture in Crete, because Godart (Ref.1) shows a clay seal very similar to this image, which has been found in Phaistos, dated from this time period. A seal of the shape of the "bull's leg" (#28), made of bronze, has been found in Apodoulou (c.1750 BC), at a distance of 25km from Phaistos. Another five seals with bull's leg devices have been found elsewhere in Crete, at Malia and Lenta. A gold ring from Mochlos, eastern Crete, with a representation of a Minoan ship (c.1450 BC, Ref.1), resembles the symbol of the "boat" (#25) of the Phaistos Disc. A series of
  • 4. images of a cat, similar to the one on the disc (#29), can be seen on some vases from Malia. The famous figurine of the Snake Goddess from Knossos has a little feline on her head, strongly reminding of the cat on our disc, too. According to Pernier (Ref.3), the “mattock” or pick (#15) is a typical Cretan artifact. A similar mattock in bronze was found at Phaistos, and a second one elsewhere on the island. The symbol of the "ordinary man" (#3) shows a male head with tattooed or face-painted cheek. Pernier (Ref.3) shows this practice can be seen on various clay figurines from Phaistos and Hagia Triada, confirming the origin of the disc. The image of the “glove” or gauntlet (#8) is visible on a vase from Hagia Triada, close to Phaistos, and dated c.1450 BC (Refs.1,3). The topless "virgin" or Queen (#6) is a typical Cretan phenomenon. The lack of any shame in this respect was typical for Crete during the Minoan Culture (Refs.9-11,29). Each of these nine or ten different symbols, about 20% of its total number, is a more or less strong indication that the Phaistos Disc had been made in Crete. However, we consider the combination of the nine symbols together as a proof of it. A beautiful gold ring was found by Sir Arthur Evans near Knossos (Mavro Spilio), in 1926. It shows a small disc with a Linear A inscription of 19 signs, definitely from Crete. The ring is interesting, because the inscription is performed in the shape of a spiral, counterclockwise, similar to the Phaistos Disc. We were able to date the ring (Ch.10): c.1611 BC (New Palace Culture). The design of the Phaistos Disc may even have been based on this ring. It confirms the Cretan provenance of the disc. A bronze axe from the Arkalochori Cave in eastern Crete, dated c.1500 BC, contains a rare inscription of 15 symbols, 10 of which are different. Although not proven, both axe and inscription are considered of Cretan provenance. Two symbols closely resemble the plane (#19) and the branch (#35) of the Phaistos Disc, three other signs are similar. The symbols also form a ideographic script, which has been deciphered (Ch.10).
  • 5. Fig.2.2 Back side B of the Phaistos Disc (Crete, c.1458 BC) (Courtesy L. Godart, Ref.1) Palace of Phaistos Chapter 5 shows the Phaistos Disc describes the religion of Crete. This means the disc must have been designed in one of the religious complexes on the island. The disc itself shows there were eight of these complexes (Ch.3). However, Chapter 5 also shows the disc deals with the government of the people of Crete. The symbol of the “King” (#2) is the most prominent one of the disc, because its frequency of occurence is to the tune of 19x (Table 2.2). This means the disc must have been designed in one of the most important complexes. Chapter 3 shows the complexes were devided into two catagories, which we have called the “palaces” (#14), and the less important “temples” (#24). The symbol of the “palace” occurs twice on the disc, so there were two major palaces on Crete. These turn out to be Knossos and Phaistos (Ch.3), which is confirmed in the literature (Refs.9-11,27). Chapter 3 provides detailed information about the population numbers around the palaces
  • 6. and temples, including the total population of Crete. The disc also gives important information about the territory of the island. Chapter 4 shows the disc gives an incredible amount of information about daily life on Crete, and Chapter 6 contains a complete history of the island. All these data form additional proof of the Cretan provenance. When we consider the total information encoded on the disc, we could suppose the disc has been made in Knossos, by far the most important governmental center on the island, twice as big as Phaistos. It appears to be confirmed by the prominent position of the Palace of Knossos on the disc (Ch.3). It is shown in the long passage A9 (symbol #14), on the front side. However, is it really true that the disc was made in Knossos, and subsequently transported to Phaistos, where it ultimately was found? This is a difficult question. Let us see if we can solve this problem. The Palace of Phaistos is shown in passage B17 on the back side (Fig.2.2, Ch.3). The back side has 4 turns, encoding the latitude of Crete, 4° above the Mediterranean coast of the northern Nile Delta, at 31+4= 35°N. This side gives the latitude of Crete in a better way than the front side with the Palace of Knossos, having 5 turns. Figs.2.1&2.2 show the correct orientations of both sides, also from a geographical point of view. So, the last passages A31 and B30 at the bottom of the disc both finish in the south. This means the Palace of Phaistos in passage B17 is indicated in a correct way (see Figs.1.1&2.2), in the SSW part of the island, near the coast. However, the Palace of Knossos in A9 on the front side is geographically indicated in a wrong way (Figs.1.1&2.1). Finally, passage B17, with the Palace of Phaistos, contains the symbol of a “saw” (#16), which could be translated by “to make” (the Phaistos Disc). It contains a clue about the origin of the disc. However, passage A9 with the Palace of Knossos does not contain a similar symbol, nor any clue. Our conclusion is simple: Knossos is shown on the front side, because it is the most important palace of Crete. However, in a geographical sense the Palace of Phaistos is indicated in a better way, and it is accompanied by a hint, because here the famous Phaistos Disc was made! The disc is descended from Crete, and it was designed in the Palace of Phaistos, where it was also found. However, has it also been fabricated in this Palace? This less important question may also be answered. The above paragraph strongly suggests it is, but there is more. The Phaistos Disc has been beautifully made, in an extremely accurate way. This book will show that the so-called small errors (Ref.1), like the long separation line between passages B23 and B24, and the extra lines in B3 and A27, have been made on purpose, and not by accident (see Figs.2.1&2.2). It looks like the designer himself was also responsible for making the disc. This means that, probably, the disc has been made in the Palace of Phaistos, or may be it its immediate surroundings. However, it cannot be totally excluded the disc has been fabricated somewhere else on the island.
  • 7. Fig.2.3 Table of the signs of the Phaistos Disc (Crete, c.1458 BC) (Courtesy L. Godart, Ref.1) 2.3 DATE The front side has 31 passages, corresponding to the northern Nile Delta, at 31°N, and the back side has 30 passages, corresponding to the southern Nile Delta, at 30°N (Figs.2.1&2.2). So, the Phaistos Disc strongly emphasizes the ties of Crete with nearby Egypt, the greatest civilization on Earth (Refs.12-18). Both sides of the disc have an Inner Part and an Edge. The inner part of each side contains 18 passages, twice encoding the important 18th Dynasty of Egypt, at the start of the New Kingdom, which lasted officially from 1580 to 1314 BC. On the front side the most important phrase of the disc, "The Theory of the Holy Kings of Lower and Upper Egypt", occurs in passages A3 and A15, together forming 3+15= 18 units, again confirming the 18th Dynasty (Ch.7). On the back side the “Queen” occurs in the similar passages B3 and B15, together forming 3+15= 18 units, once again confirming the 18th Dynasty of Queen Hatshepsut. So, it has been indicated four times,
  • 8. that the disc has been made during this Egyptian dynasty (Table 2.3). The numbers of passages on both sides of the Disc also turn out to represent years of generations. The front side appears to correspond with a first generation of 31 years (31 passages), and the back side encodes a second generation of 30 years (30 passages). So, as far as history is concerned, the back side describes a more recent time period (Ch.6). The back side contains 5 “Kings” and 2 “Queens”, both of which are representing Queen Hatshepsut (see the above paragraph). So in total this side shows 5+1= 6 Rulers, instead of 7 Rulers. It suggests the 18th Dynasty had a total of 6 Rulers, when the disc was made. According to the literature of ancient Egypt, the 6th Ruler of the 18th Dynasty was the well-known King Thutmose III, who reigned from 1485 to 1451 BC. So, it appears the Phaistos Disc has been made in the short time period of 34 years during his reign. But there is more. The text of the inner part of 18 passages on this side consists of 6 paragraphs (Table 2.1), confirming the total number of 6 Rulers of the 18th Dynasty. The edge of the front side, around the 18 passages inside, contains 5 “Kings” and 1 “Queen”, together 5+1= 6 Rulers, once again confirming it. Passage A18 of the inner part represents the 18th Dynasty. This passage contains 6 symbols, apparently encoding these 6 Rulers. The last symbol is a “King”, confirming for the fourth time the disc has been made during the reign of the 6th Ruler, Thutmose III (Table 2.3). The tomb of Rekhmire, the Grand Vizier of Thutmose III, is located in Thebes, Egypt. On its walls gift-bearing Cretans are seen, clad in loincloths, which are very similar to those worn by the "messenger" (#1) on our disc. Godart (Ref.1) proves these images date between 1470 and 1450 BC. The "ordinary man" (#3) has a head with a tattooed or face- painted cheek. Vercoutter (Ref.1) shows an identical figure-eight design under the eye of a person in the same tomb of Rekhmire, confirming the date (1470-1450 BC). Vercoutter also shows a bold headed man in the tomb of Menkheperraseneb, the second Grand Vizier of Thutmose III. He precedes all the Aegeans and pays homage to the Pharaoh in the name of Crete. Above him is an inscription "Wr n Ktiw", meaning "King of the land of Keftiu", or "King of Crete". The bold headed man resembles the symbols of both the "messenger" and the "ordinary man" on the disc. It confirms the origin of the disc, as well as the date of it, c.1450 BC. In scenes of contest on a high, narrow vase from Hagia Triada, at a distance of c.3km (2 miles) from Phaistos, boxers are visible with their hands protected by “gloves” very similar to those shown on the disc (#8, Ref.1). The vase dates from c.1450 BC, which confirms the date of the disc. The unique Disc of Phaistos was found in the ruins of an abandoned Minoan palace. Everything indicates it was a local product of the native Minoan Culture (Refs.1,2). The text starts in the center of the front side with a cry of emergency (Fig.2.1, A1-4, Ch.5): "Please, proclaim loudly, and spread by force of law, the Theory of the Holy Kings of Lower and Upper Egypt. Please, proclaim it loudly." This first paragraph shows exactly when the Phaistos Disc was made, namely at a severe political crisis, at the beginning of a civil war. It marks the end of the so-called New Palace Culture of the Cretan Civiliza- tion, which is well-known in the archaeological literature. So, the date can be further narrowed down to 1450 ± 10 BC. It explains why this disc is so unique. The people that were involved in the production of more copies of the disc, fled or were killed, and in the general confusion the 45 precious seals were stolen, burnt, or simply lost. It also shows why the characters of the disc were
  • 9. imprinted, and not carved. The 45 seals (Fig.2.3) were meant for production of other ceramic artifacts with similar religious texts. The first paragraph of the text, just quoted, confirms this goal. The next paragraph continues with: “Fix it down in writing, and spread by force of law, the sovereignty of the King“ (A5,6, Ch.5). The 45 symbols were the official tools for starting a new script, but it never got a chance to develop. The end of the New Palace Culture in Crete has not been caused by an eruption of the vulcano of Thera, c.100km (55 NM) north of Crete, nor by an earthquake in the eastern Mediterranean, and not by a collision of the Earth with extra-terrestial material from out of space (Refs.10,11). The end of the old civilization of Crete has been caused by a civil war, because of serious political mistakes of the government. The text of the Phaistos Disc clearly points into this direction. The Palace of Knossos was not destroyed during this civil war, which, again, excludes the possibility of a catastrophe. After the civil war of c.1450 BC, the power of Crete strongly declined, and the Mycenaean Culture started to expand from mainland Greece. In view of the translation of the Phaistos Disc (Ch.5), it can be excluded that this script was invented by this new culture, far away from its political center. If the Mycenaeans invented it, the same script would have appeared without doubt later and elsewhere, too. The lack of any such finds, especially from the neighboring area of the Peloponnesus, confirms it (Refs.1,9-11). Pernier (Ref.3) compared the symbol of the "temple" (#24) on the disc with the Punt huts, carved on the walls of the temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir-el-Bahari, in Egypt. Passage B18 on the back side contains 5 symbols, two of which are “temples” (#24). These symbolize the famous temples of the 5th Ruler of the 18th Dynasty, Queen Hatshepsut. So, the remark of Pernier was quite close to the truth. She was the last ruler (1516-1485 BC), who passed away before Thutmose III. It confirms again the approx- imate date of the Phaistos Disc. The 30 passages of the back side represent the 30 years of the last generation, before the civil war. The last symbols of passage B3 are a “Queen” and a “King”. Apparently, the passage represents the end of reign of Queen Hatshepsut, in 1485, and the start of King Thutmose III. After passage B3, there are 27 passages left. So, the Phaistos Disc has been made in the 30-3= 27th year of government of Thutmose III. He is shown in the last passage B30, which represents the year of 1485-27= 1458 BC. So, at the start of the civil war in Crete, the 18th Dynasty in Egypt, and the New Kingdom, lasted from 1580 to 1458, which is 122 years. Apparently, these years are represented by the 122 symbols of side A (dropping the 1st symbol, the “flower”). Passage A24 also contains a “Queen” and a “King”. So, also this passage turns out to represent the end of reign of Queen Hatshepsut, in 1485, and the start of King Thutmose III. After the “Queen” and her “shield” are 27 symbols, confirming the Phaistos Disc has been made in the 27th year of government of Thutmose III. He is shown as the last symbol of passage A31, which represents the year of 1485-27= 1458 BC. Passage A27 on the front side shows King Thutmose III, confirming his present, 27th year of reign. The symbol of the “King” is one of the last 27 symbols on side A, repre- senting his 27 years of government. The “scraper” (#42) in passage B22 on the back side contains 27 dots, confirming it. The triangular grater (#43) in passage B25 also has 27 dots, confirming it again. Both passages B22 and B25 belong to the last 27 passages on side B, again representing the 27 years of reign of Thutmose III.
  • 10. 2.4 DISCUSSION During the excavation of the Phaistos Disc, a Linear A tablet, known as PH 1, was found in the same Room 8 (Refs.1,30). This tablet was dated c.1700 BC, which is at the end of the Old Palace Culture. The tablet was situated at more or less the same depth, at a distance of only a few centimeters from the disc. Because of this coincidence, the Phaistos Disc has also been dated c.1700 BC, which is the usual date mentioned in the literature. However, this chapter shows the Phaistos Disc dates from c.1458 BC, which is almost 250 years later, at the end of the New Palace Culture. It was just before the destruction of almost all the palaces and temples during the civil war on Crete. TABLE 2.1 IMPORTANT DATA OF THE PHAISTOS DISC (c.1458 BC) FRONT SIDE (SIDE A) (Fig.2.1) Inner Part and Edge (IP+E) Number of symbols: 73+(49+1)= 123 Number of symbols sideways (deviating): 3 Number of symbols upside down (deviating): 3 Number of passages: 18+13= 31 Number of turns of the spiral: 4+1= 5 Number of dots at the end: 5 Number of paragraphs: 7+4= 11 BACK SIDE (SIDE B) (Fig.2.2) Inner Part and Edge (IP+E) Number of symbols: 70+49= 119 Number of symbols sideways (deviating): 2 Number of symbols upside down (deviating): 2 Number of passages: 18+12= 30 Number of turns of the spiral: 3+1= 4 Number of dots at the end: 4 (not 5) Number of paragraphs: 6+3= 9 BOTH SIDES (A+B) Sight direction to the text: from the edge to the center. Read direction of the text: from the center along the spiral to the Edge (against the daily movement of the Sun). Number of symbols: 123+119= 242 Number of symbols sideways (deviating): 3+2= 5 Number of symbols upside down (deviating): 3+2= 5 Number of passages: 31+30= 61 Number of turns of the spiral: 5+4= 9 Number of dots at the end: 5+4= 9 Number of paragraphs: 11+9= 20
  • 11. TABLE 2.2 THE SYMBOLS ON THE PHAISTOS DISC (Fig.2.3), AND THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE ON SIDES A, B, AND A+B (c.1458 BC) SYMBOLS (IP,E / IP,E)* A / B A+B 1 Messenger 4,2 / 2,3 6 5 11 2 King 9,5 / 2,3 14 5 19 3 Man 2,0 / 0,0 2 0 2 4 Prisoner 0,1 / 0,0 1 0 1 5 Child 0,0 / 0,1 0 1 1 6 Queen 1,1 / 2,0 2 2 4 7 Cover 0,3 /11,4 3 15 18 8 Glove 0,1 / 4,0 1 4 5 9 Tiara 0,0 / 2,0 0 2 2 10 Burin 4,0 / 0,0 4 0 4 11 Bow 0,1 / 0,0 1 0 1 12 Shield 8,7 / 0,2 15 2 17 13 Scroll of the law 2,1 / 1,2 3 3 6 14 Palace 1,0 / 1,0 1 1 2 15 Mattock 0,0 / 0,1 0 1 1 16 Saw 0,0 / 1,1 0 2 2 17 Lid 1,(1)/0,0 2 0 2 18 Square 4,2 / 4,2 6 6 12 19 Plane 2,1 / 0,0 3 0 3 20 Mummy 0,0 / 1,1 0 2 2 21 Grave 2,0 / 0,0 2 0 2 22 Religion 0,0 / 2,3 0 5 5 23 Hammer 4,1 / 4,2 5 6 11 24 Temple 0,1 / 3,2 1 5 6 25 Boat 2,0 / 2,3 2 5 7 26 Horn 4,1 / 0,1 5 1 6 27 Corpse 8,2 / 2,3 10 5 15 28 Hoof 2,0 / 0,0 2 0 2 29 Cat 0,3 / 8,0 3 8 11 30 Ram 0,0 / 1,0 0 1 1 31 Falcon 4,1 / 0,0 5 0 5 32 Dove 1,1 / 1,0 2 1 3 33 Fish 1,1 / 2,2 2 4 6 34 Bee 0,1 / 2,0 1 2 3 35 Branch 3,2 / 4,2 5 6 11 36 Vine-tendril 0,0 / 3,1 0 4 4 37 Papyrus 2,0 / 0,2 2 2 4 38 Flower 2,1 / 0,1 3 1 4 39 Arrow 0,1 / 2,1 1 3 4 40 Screen 0,3 / 0,3 3 3 6 41 Flute 0,2 / 0,0 2 0 2 42 Scraper 0,0 / 0,1 0 1 1
  • 12. 43 Grater 0,0 / 0,1 0 1 1 44 Chopper 0,1 / 0,0 1 0 1 45 Waterway 0,2 / 3,1 2 4 6 SIDES A/B A+B Total 123 119 242 * Sides A/B: IP= Inner Part, E= Edge TABLE 2.3 THE DATE OF THE PHAISTOS DISC: 1458 BC EGYPT, Nile Delta: Side A: 31 passages= 31°N Side B: 30 passages= 30°N Inner part A: 18 passages= 18th Dynasty Inner part B: 18 passages= 18th Dynasty Passages A with King Theory: 3+15= 18 units= 18th Dynasty Passages B with Queen Hatshepsut: 3+15= 18 units= 18th Dynasty Date: 1580-1314 BC(*) Side B: 5 Kings and 1 Queen= 6 Rulers: Thutmose III Inner part B : 6 paragraphs= 6 Rulers: Thutmose III Edge A: 5 Kings and 1 Queen= 6 Rulers: Thutmose III Passage A18 (Dynasty), 6th symbol= King: Thutmose III Date: 1485-1451 BC(*) The clothes of the "messenger" and the figure-eight design of the "ordinary man" seen in the tomb of Rekhmire, in Thebe, Egypt. Date: 1470-1450 BC(*). Bold headed man similar to the “messenger” and the “ordinary man” seen in tomb of Menkheperraseneb, in Thebe, Egypt, c.1450 BC, and the "gauntlet" seen on vase from Hagia Triada, close to Phaistos, dated c.1450 BC(*). The text of the 1st paragraph of side A prooves the disc has been made at the start of a civil war, at the end of the New Palace Culture in Crete, 1450 ± 10 BC(*). Passage B3 with Queen Hatshepsut and a King shows the disc has been made in the 30-3= 27th year of government of King Thutmose III, 1485-27= 1458 BC. After Queen Hatshepsut and her shield in passage A24 are 27 symbols, confirming the disc has been made in the 27th year of government of King Thutmose III, 1485-27= 1458 BC. * Date according to archaeological research LITERATURE (Ch.2) 1. Godart, L., The Phaistos Disc, The Enigma of an Aegean Script, Editions Itanos, 1995 (ISBN
  • 13. 960-7549-02-3). 2. Duhoux, Y., Le disque de Phaistos, Louvain-le-Neuve 1978. (French) 3. Pernier, L., Il disco di Phaestos con caratteri pittografici, Ausonia III (1908), 255-302. (Italian) 4. De Jonge, R.M., and Wakefield, J.S, How the Sungod Reached America, A Guide to Megalithic Sites, MCS Inc., 2002 (ISBN 0-917054-19-9). Available: MCS Inc., Box 3392, Kirkland, Wa 98083-33-92, also on CD. 5. De Jonge, R.M., and IJzereef, G.F., Exhibition: The Megalithic Inscriptions of Western Europe, 1996. 6. De Jonge, R.M., and IJzereef, G.F., De Stenen Spreken, Kosmos Z&K, Utrecht/Antwerpen, 1996 (ISBN 90-215-2846-0). (Dutch) 7. The Tablet of Vladikavkaz, Journal L'archeologue, Nr.55, Aout-Septembre 2001, "Une enigme archeolo-gique du Caucase Septentrional". (French) 8. D'Ossetie et d'alentour nr.9, Paris, 2001, par V.A. Kouznetsov traduit du russe par Iaroslav Lebedynsky. (French) 9. People of the Stone Age: Hunter-gatherers and Early Farmers, Weldon Owen Pty Limited, McMahons Point, Australia (1995). 10. Old World Civilizations, The Rise of Cities and States, The Illustrated History of Humankind, Weldon Owen Pty Limited, McMahons Point, Australia (1995). 11. Zwart, A.H. e.a., De Oude Grieken, 7000 Jaar Wereldgeschiedenis, Lekturama, Rotterdam, 1977. (Dutch) 12. Siliotti, A., Egypt, Temples, People and Gods, Bergamo, Italy, 1997. 13. Kemp, B.J., Ancient Egypt, Anatomy of a Civilization, London, Routledge, 1991. 14. Ancient Egypt, National Geographic Maps, Supplement to the National Geographic Magazine, April, 2001. 15. Adams, B., and Cialowicz, K., Protodynastic Egypt, Shire Egyptology, Princes Risborough, 1997. 16. Tompkins, P., Secrets of the Great Pyramid, Harper & Row, London, 1971 (ISBN 0-06-090631-6)(Dr. Stecchini). 17. Hart, G., A Dictionary of Egyptian Gods and Goddes ses, Routledge, London, 1986 (ISBN 0-7102-0167-2). 18. Breasted, J.H., Ancient Records of Egypt, Vol.2: The Eighteenth Dynasty, London, 1988. 19. De Jonge, R.M., and Wakefield, J.S., The Discovery of the Atlantic Islands, Migration & Diffusion, Vol.3, No.11, pgs.69-109 (2002). 20. De Jonge, R.M., and Wakefield, J.S., The Three Rivers Petroglyph, A Guidepost for River Travel in America, Migration & Diffusion, Vol.3, No.12, pgs.74-100 (2002). 21. De Jonge, R.M., and Wakefield, J.S., A Nautical Center for Crossing the Ocean, America’s Stonehenge, New Hampshire, c.2200 BC, Migration & Diffusion, Vol.4, No.15, pgs.60-100 (2002). 22. De Jonge, R.M., and Wakefield, J.S., Ancient American, Germany’s Bronze Age Disc Reveals Trans- atlantic Seafaring, Vol.9, No.55, pgs.18-20 (2004). 23. De Jonge, R.M., and Wakefield, J.S., The Disc of Nebra, Germany, c.1600 BC, Migration & Diffusion, Vol.5, No.17, pgs.32-39 (2004). 24. De Jonge, R.M., and Wakefield, J.S., The Monument of Ales Stenar, A Sunship to the Realm of the Dead, Sweden, c.500 BC, Migration & Diffusion, Vol.5, No.19, pgs.94-109 (2004). 25. Miller, J., The Phaistos Disk, Ancient American, March/April 1994, p.37. 26. Grimes, J.P., Ancient American, Nr.12, p.35. 27. Bayley, H., The Lost Language of Symbolism, Citadel Press 1990, reprint (ISBN 0-8065-1100-1). 28. Kousnetzov,V.A., "Disque de Vladikavkaz", L'Archeologue no.52, Fevrier-Mars, pgs.26,27 (2001). (French) 29. Willetts, R.F., The Civilization of Ancient Crete, Phoenix Press, New York (1976) (ISBN 1-84212-746-2). 30. Covey, C., Fischer vs. Fell Phaistos Disk Decipherments, Midw. Epigr. Newsl., Vol.19, Nr.4 (2002).