title: Arkalochori Axe
text: The Arkalochori Axe is a 2nd millennium BC Minoan bronze votive double axe (labrys) excavated by Spyridon Marinatos in 1934 in the Arkalochori cave on Crete, which is believed to have been used for religious rituals. It is inscribed with fifteen symbols. 
  
  It has been suggested that these symbols might be Linear A, although some scholars disagree. 
  
  The labrys and the Phaistos Disc are conserved in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. They share some symbols.
  
  Inscription
  Of the fifteen signs, two appear to be unique. The following suggestions for comparison with Linear A and Phaistos Disc glyphs are attributed to Torsten Timm (2004). Reading top to bottom, right to left, the symbols are:
  
  Note that reading top to bottom, right to left after turning the inscription counterclockwise gives a different sequence and numbering of the glyphs. The alternative sequence is suggested to be translatable as a text with a dedicatory offering to Tammuz.
  
  See also
   Phaistos Disc
   Dispilio tablet
  
  References
  
  Cretan hieroglyphs
  Minoan archaeological artifacts
  Axes
  Archaeological discoveries in Greece
  Ancient Greek metalwork
  1934 archaeological discoveries
  Minoan art
  2nd-millennium BC works
  Bronze objects
  Heraklion Archaeological Museum
  Ancient art in metal