Archibald H. Sayce

Archibald Sayce on the Decipherment of the Hittite Hieroglyphic Texts

Archibald Sayce [1845-1933]Archibald Sayce [1845-1933] was Professor of Assyriology at Oxford University for 28 years. I recently came across offprints of four of his articles from the Royal Asiatic Journal and am pleased to be able to make them available here. They are all in the public domain.

Articles from the Royal Asiatic Journal

Archibald Henry Sayce [1846-1933], “The Origin of the Hebrew Alphabet,” Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society No. 3 (July 1920): 297-303.

Archibald Henry Sayce [1846-1933], “Geographical Notes,” Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society No. 1 (Jan. 1921): 47-55.

Archibald Henry Sayce [1846-1933], “The Discipherment of the Hittite Hieroglyphic Texts,” Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society No. 4 (Oct. 1922): 537-572.

Archibald Henry Sayce [1846-1933], “The Libraries of David and Solomon,” Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society No. 4 (Oct. 1931): 783-790.

I am developing an on-line bibliography of Archibald Sayce’s works on this page, where you find links more of his books and articles.

The Discipherment of the Hittite Hieroglyphic Texts

There are the same recognized rules for the decipherment of an unknown script as there are for that of an ordinary cipher, and if they can be followed the script can be deciphered with as much ease as the cipher. Sometimes they cannot be followed, sufficient materials being absent; in this case, all we can do is to wait patiently until the materials are forthcoming

At one time this was the case with the so-called Hittite hieroglyphic texts. But it has long ceased to be so. The materials for a scientific decipherment of them have been gradually accumulating, and verification has gone hand in hand with the determination of the value and meaning of the characters. We are no longer dependent upon a few fragmentary inscriptions, too often in so imperfect a condition as to make the forms of the characters upon them more or less uncertain. [Continue reading]

Rob Bradshaw

Share
Published by
Rob Bradshaw

Recent Posts

Landscapes of the Bible and Their Story by H.B. Tristram

Today’s free book is H.B. Tristram’s Landscapes of the Bible, a superbly illustrated little book…

3 months ago

The Land and The Book (revised) by W.M. Thomson

There were many "tours of the Holy Land" published during the Victorian Era, by W.M.…

7 months ago

Money of the Bible by G.C. Williamson

Today's free book is G.C. Williamson's The Money of the Bible, which discusses in detail…

8 months ago

Bible Student’s Handbook of Assyriology

Today's free book is F.C. Norton's Handbook of Assyriology, which comes with a useful collection…

8 months ago

Bible Places, or the Topography of the Holy Land by Rev. H.B. Tristram

Today's free book is a fine example of the genre of Ninetenth Century tours of…

9 months ago

Other Side of the Jordan by Nelson Glueck

Today's free book is biblical archaeologist Nelson Glueck's The Other Side of the Jordan, which…

10 months ago