The stones thus bearing symbols of a system of writing in use within the limits of the Mycenæan world in pre-Phœnician times are arranged in five groups by Mr. Evans: (1) three-sided or prism-shaped (Fig. 60); (2) four-sided equilateral (Fig. 61); (3) four-sided with larger faces (Fig. 62); (4) with one engraved side, the upper part being ornamented with a convoluted relief (Fig. 63); (5) stones of ordinary Mycenæan type (Fig. 64).

The Hieroglyphic symbols engraved on the twenty-one stones described and depicted by Mr. Evans number eighty-two, and comprise pictorial and ideographic forms, summarised by him as follows:—

1.The human body and its parts6
2.Arms, implements, and instruments17
3.Parts of houses and household utensils8
4.Marine subjects3
5.Animals and birds17
6.Vegetable forms8
7.Heavenly bodies and derivatives6
8.Geographical or topographical signs1
9.Geometrical figures4
10.Uncertain symbols12
Total:  82

From the foregoing, all of which are represented in Mr. Evans's monograph, these may be selected as examples:—

1. a. Ideògraph of a man with arms held downwards, perhaps to denote ownership. Human figures in like position, are frequent on Cypriote cylinders.

b. Ideograph of gesture which may indicate ten or any multiple of ten.

2. a. This type of double axe is non-Egyptian. As a Hittite hieroglyph it has been found on an inscription; it is seen repeated in pairs on a Cypriote cylinder, and it also forms the principal type of some Mycenæan gems found at Crete, in the caves of which island bronze axes of this shape are common in the votive deposits.

b. The "arrow" with a short shaft is frequent, one variety showing the feather shaft. Similar figures are occasionally seen in the field of Mycenæan gems found in the island, where they represent arrows of the chase about to strike wild goats or other animals. The Hittite hieroglyphic series presents some close parallels.

3. Gate, door, or part of a fence.