Arkalochori Axe

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The Arkalochori Axe is a second millennium BC Minoan votive double axe excavated in the Arkalochori cave on Crete by Spyridon Marinatos. It is notable for being engraved with an inscription of 15 symbols. Some of the symbols may be identified as Linear A characters, while others are reminiscent of those found on the Phaistos Disc. In particular, the "Mohican" glyph (D02), which is the most frequent character of the Phaistos Disc, appears on the axe inscription both in profile and face-on. The axe is on exhibit in the Iraklion Archaeological Museum.

The Inscription

Of the 15 signs, 12 appear to be unique. The suggestions for comparison with Linear A and Phaistos Disc glyphs are due to Timm (2005).

Reading right to left, top to bottom, the symbols are as follows.