The Institute of Classical Studies in London supports projects in the fields of Mycenaean civilization and architecture with funding every year. In 2026 the Award in Mycenaean Studies goes to AIAS-AUFF fellow Ester Salgarella for her project ‘Developing a Digital Edition of the Linear A inscriptions of the Bronze Age Aegean for Comparative and Interdisciplinary Research’. 

First digital edition of the Linear A corpus

The award will allow Ester Salgarella to develop the first digital edition of the Linear A corpus in close collaboration with research colleagues based in London and Oslo. Linear A is a script to write down, as a code, the ‘language’ spoken by the inhabitants of Bronze Age Crete, the so-called Minoans. Linear A script is still undeciphered.

A potential for substantial impact

The judging committee’s evaluation of Ester Salgarella’s research and her proposed project: 

"Ester Salgarella is one of the most accomplished emerging researchers working on early Aegean scripts, and her scholarship directly continues the pioneering work of Ventris. She has already established a strong publication record that demonstrates her ability to bring complex projects to completion, and her research is now widely cited by Aegean specialists. Her proposed project impressed the committee as one with the potential for substantial impact in the field. The application clearly identifies the need for an accessible, comprehensive database of Linear A documents comparable to those currently available for Linear B. The project aims to deliver precisely this, drawing on the resources available in London and her earlier work to make the corpus of Linear A inscriptions significantly more accessible to scholars. This will greatly benefit the academic community and also enhance public engagement with Aegean writing systems. We believe that Dr Salgarella presents a feasible, high-impact project that aligns closely with the aims and spirit of the Ventris Awards." 

https://ics.sas.ac.uk/news-events/news/2026-michael-ventris-award-mycenaean-studies 

About the Michael Ventris Memorial Award

The Michael Ventris Memorial Fund was established in 1957 in recognition of his contribution to the fields of Mycenaean civilization and Architecture. From 1958 to 1988 a single award was made annually, alternating between Mycenaean and Architectural projects. From 1988, two awards were made annually, one to a Mycenaean and an Architectural project respectively. 

https://ics.sas.ac.uk/awards/awards-prizes/michael-ventris-award-mycenaean-studies-2026 

Contact

Ester Salgarella, AIAS-AUFF Fellow
E-mail: esalga@aias.au.dk

Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, AIAS
Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 6B
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Denmark