Hittite logograms : studies in their origin and distribution

• Main Author: Weeden, Mark
• Published: SOAS, University of London 2008
• Subjects: 411
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.504891

The current thesis addresses the use and origin of logograms in Hittite cuneiform, be they of Sumerian or Akkadian origin. It is intended as a contribution to the history of Hittite cuneiform writing. It is divided into four parts and an introduction. The introduction deals with issues of definition, education, palaeography and textual criticism as key factors in establishing contexts for logographic writings. Part One addresses the context of the origin of Hittite cuneiform and the framework of scribal education at Hattusa, with particular attention to the lexical lists. Part Two investigates selected logograms as they are used in the "Historical Texts", touching on issues of reading, dating and relationship to the rest of the cuneiform world. An appendix (I) provides a catalogue of all logograms occurring in a substantial number of historical texts. Part Three investigates further selected logograms, that are characterised either by being restricted to Hittite cuneiform or by being used differently in Hittite cuneiform to Mesopotamia. An appendix (II) provides a catalogue of all logograms that are defined as being thus different to Mesopotamian usage, as well as a documentation of attestations for most of these. Part Four presents summaries of general themes arising from the previous chapters: the phonetic pronunciation of logograms, the Akkadian of the Akkadograms, palaeography and orthography and the lines of transmission leading Hittite cuneiform culture to Hattusa in as far as it is possible to ascertain these.