A photograph of Linear A tablet KH 5 from Xανιά / Khaniá is on the front-cover.
KH 5.1-2: a-da-ki-si-ka , a-ra-u-|da ,
KH 5.2: wi-sa-sa-ne HORD+E 2 VINb+9 2
KH 5.3: wi-na-du , OVIS+na 1
KH 5.3-4: ku-pa-do HORD [ ] 5 A FIC 2 JB
Linear A a-da-ki-si-ka (KH 5.1) represents a Hurrian name, for it can be analysed as ašd=a-kizzi=ḫḫ(i)=a, consisting of the a-stem ašd=a 'woman' and the essive -a of kizzi=ḫ(ḫ)i 'jewel', so that it can be translated as 'The woman (is/shines) like a jewel' or more specifically 'The woman (is/shines) like a hairpin of precious metal', if we take into account that kizzi/uḫu at Qaṭna is the designation of a golden pin and that Linear A ja-ki-si-ki-nu (AK Zf 9) is written on a silver hairpin from Arkhanes, that can be analysed as ya-kizz=i=ḫḫi=nnu 'as it is a jewel'.
The second sequence a-ra-u-|da (KH 5.1-2) is a Hurrian 'one-word' name or a toponym Arau, with directive suffix -da 'to, for', or ablative suffix -dan 'from'. The name Arau (wr. A-ra-ú), analysis ar=av, 'I give (the boy)', is attested at Old Babylonian Sippar (Dekiere 6, 917 Beischrift).
Linear A wi-sa-sa-ne (KH 5.2) may well consist of the name of the mountain Wišaša / Wišaiša + the alternative Hurrian ethnic suffix -n(n)i/e, 'The one of (Mount) Wišaša'.
Linear A wi-na-du (KH 5.3) may be interpreted as the Hurrian sentence-name P/Win-ašdu, analysed as p/win-aždu and be translated 'Lift (the child), oh woman !', 'Pick (the child) up, oh woman !'. Linear A ku-pa-do (KH 5.3) can be analysed as an Old Hurrian verbal 'one-word' name ḫub=ad=o=m, with root-extension -ad- of unknown meaning, 'He/She (a numen) destroyed (the deceased child)' or as an Old Hurrian imperative ḫub=ad=o 'Destroy (the deceased child) (oh numen) !'.
Peter G. van Soesbergen (born in Amsterdam, 7th February 1945) studied Classics at the University of Amsterdam (Doctoral Examination cum laude). He pursued research on The archaeological context of Minoan Linear A for "The Netherlands Organization for Pure Research" (report of 400 pp.), published several articles and gave papers at international colloquia and congresses (Heraklion, Bucharest, Sheffield, Nottingham, Prague, Rome, Naples), a Mycenaean Seminar on "The historical significance of onomastic data from Linear A and B texts" (Institute of Classical Studies, University of London) and special papers on Linear A at Cambridge and Groningen. He pursued research as a Leverhulme European Visiting Fellow and Independent Research Worker at the University of Sheffield, where he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) on the thesis "The onomastics of the 'Minoan Linear A' and 'Linear B' documents and their historical significance". He taught Greek, Latin, Ancient History, Archaeology, Mycenology and Andrological examination. After his retirement he is still pursuing research.
