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STONES THAT SPEAK

Review from GEORGIAN JOURNAL 27 April 2011

(Hardcover - 1 Jul 2010)

 

Robert D. Morritt

 

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          Robert D. Morritt epigraphs his opus with Percy Shelley’s inquisitive observation: “We are all Greeks. Our laws, our religion, our arts, have their root in Greece.”

           “Stones that Speak” is a recent addition to the world book market, which is one of those that make a historical tour of language and cultural influences. It is a real treat for a reader with specific interest in the world’s Hellenistic heritage Exclaims Morritt in his introduction- “What would that piece of clay say if it could speak?”

 

          According to the author, archaeological excavations, archaic languages and Myths are explored, together with what appears to be archaic Cretan relations as far away as the Black Sea region.

 

          Our special interest goes to the enigma of the Phaistos disc, which is revisited, in Morritt’s outstanding edition in the light of new findings. And one of those findings belongs to Dr.Gia Kvashilava-the Georgian scientist, PHD and elected academician, living in Tbilisi, republic of Georgia. The author underlines that Gia Kvashilava has deciphered the Phaistos disc into Colchian (Proto-Kartvelian) language. The text is proved to be a hymn and prayer to Anatolian Mother Goddess Nenana and is printed in Colchian gold script.

 

          The author also presents widely the history of the Colchis (The Classical Age), saying that in ancient times was situated in the present day Georgian provinces of Mingrelia, Imereti, Guria, Racha and Apkhazeti (Abkhazia). The world scholars of antiquity-and it is what today is known as Georgia to the entire world have always identified the country of Colchis with Georgia.