The Kjolmen Inscription and the Question of Linguistic Continuity in the Balkans: An Experimental Decipherment and a Hypothesis of a Substrate Continuum.
Abstract
This paper presents an experimental decipherment of the Kjolmen inscription (6th century BCE) using a substrate continuum hypothesis. By applying Old Bulgarian and Balkan dialectal parallels, the study reveals a coherent epitaphic text. Key linguistic features, such as Wackernagel’s Law and archaic Indo-European syntax, suggest a deep-rooted linguistic continuity in the Balkan region. The decipherment provides a new framework for analyzing Paleo-Balkan epigraphy.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Linguistics and language evolution
European Linguistics and Anthropology
Ancient and Medieval Archaeology Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
- Publication date
- 9 January 2026
- Document type
- Preprint