Ancient Greek - Ancient Greek writing can divided into two distinct systems, designated as "Linear A" and "Linear B". Linear A tablets have been found predominantly on the island of Crete and, therefore, is widely recognized as the language of the Minoans. It has never been successfully translated, but is clearly a type of hieroglyphic writing. This supports the theory that the first Minoans migrated either from Northern Africa, perhaps near Egypt, or from the Levant. Linear A disappears rather suddenly around 1450 B.C. (see the Thera event a couple centuries from now for the most likely reason). Linear B, a syllabic script, has been translated and identified as an early form of what would eventually (probably) evolve into Classical Greek. It was used among the earliest inhabitants of the Greek peninsula, the Mycenaeans, who called themselves Achaeans. After the fall of Minoan civilization and rise of Mycenaean, Linear B (later Greek) became the predominant language on the peninsula. However, during the Greek Dark Ages, writing virtually disappeared currently making it impossible to know if or how the evolution into Classical Greek occured.  The ancient Greek alphabet is an adaptation of the Phoenician alphabet with one important addition, vowels. It is entirely possible, even likely that Linear B is the transition from Linear A after the adoption of the alphabet. Some symbols are found in both scripts, though they do not appear to be interchangeable.