Phaistos Disk of Crete

Mysterious ancient invocation to Minoan Mother Goddess!

Scientists have been trying to decipher the mysterious "Phaistos Disk" ever since the clay disk was discovered in 1908 on the Greek island of Crete. But translations of the mysterious Cretan Hieroglyphics inscribed on the disk, which dates back to 1700 B.C.E. and the height of the Minoan civilization, are difficult. Experts believe both surfaces of this clay disc should be read in a spiral direction from the outside rim to the inside. The signs make up word groups divided from each other by vertical lines, Forty five different types of signs have been distinguished, of which only a few can be identified. Some hieroglyphic sequences recur like refrains, suggesting a religious hymn. It is very likely that stamps where used to create these highly detailed signs making it one of the first "printed" texts.

By comparing previous studies about Cretan hieroglyphics, and the scripts Minoan Linear A and Mycenaean Linear B from ancient Greece, researchers believe they were able to identify three key words •IQE, which may mean "mother" and/or "goddess" and which appears repeatedly on the disk. •IQEKURJA, which may mean "pregnant mother" and/or "goddess." •IQEPAJE or IQE-PHAE, which may mean "shining mother" or "goddess." This suggests the message on the disk may be a prayer to "mother," and in particular the mother goddess of fertility. The Minoans seem to have worshipped primarily goddesses, and their culture based on a matriarchal religion. Several goddesses appear to be dominate including a Mother Goddess of fertility, a Mistress of the Animals, a protectress of cities, the household, the harvest, and the underworld.

Phaistos Disk of Crete 5 1/4 inch diameter, 6 1/2 inch tall with base. sandstone color resin. #PD