# ZU

> Linear A syllabic ZU, proposed: ṯu.

A page of the Linear A Lexicon's research wiki, in [Wiki](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/index.md>) › [Kaphtor Lexicon](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/lexicon/index.md>) › [Signs](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/lexicon/signs/index.md>) › [Syllabic signs](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/lexicon/signs/syllabic/index.md>). Updated 2026-10-24.

**Status: proposed.** A proposed value.

Evidence: ṯ 15/21, n and m 16/21; A-ZU-RA yields a root under every rival. ṯ reads 6 of 8 context words, z reads RU-ZU-NA (PS \*z), so ZU writes both

## Phonetic value

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Value | /ṯu/ |
| Alternates | /zu/, /ḏu/, /ṯ̣u/ |
| Linear B | B 79, value zu |
| Linear B Unicode | U+10059 LINEAR B SYMBOL B079 |
| Linear B note | tentative (Davis 2026, 174 n. 641) |
| Neutralization class | none |

### Alternate values

| Value | Evidence |
| --- | --- |
| /zu/ | RU-ZU-NA = rāzin 'dignitary' (HALOT 1210), PS \*z; Linear B \*79 zu (Davis 2026, 174 n. 641) |
| /ḏu/ | ZU writes the interdental range: voiced ḏ beside ṯ (di Mino) |
| /ṯ̣u/ | ZU writes the interdental range: emphatic ṯ̣, keyed ẓ (di Mino) |

### Forms cited for the value

- A-ZU-RA = ʾAṯirat (KNZc7 incantation bowl)—divine name on ritual vessel
- Linear B \*79 = zu (Davis 2026, 174 n. 641), 3–4 attestations—the rarity an interdental value predicts
- No ṯ→z merger in Semitic typology
- Phonemic gap: ZU writes the interdentals before every vowel
- Complementary distribution: ZA-SI-ZU (ARKH4b)—ZA and ZU in the same word
- MA-ZU = maṯu 'child/male' (HT102)—supportive PS #1702 match
- Cross-script parallel: Linear B ma-\*79 ↔ Linear A MA-ZU—potential independent confirmation
- KU-ZU-NI = Kuṯinu (HT 13, HT 85a), the Ugaritic personal name kṯn, syll. ku-ši-nu (DULAT 467)
- ZU-JU-PU₂ = ṯulpu 'flute(-player)' (HT 25a), sign for sign PS \*ṯulp-, Ugaritic ṯlb (DULAT 892), Akk. ša šulpi (CAD Š/3 257)

## Lexicon words written with this sign

| Word | Proposed reading | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| A-ZU-RA | ʾAṯirat | Candidate |
| DU-ZU-WA | ḏū-ṯuwāʕ | Speculative |
| I-NA-TA-I-ZU-DI-SI-KA | ʿInatī ṯudī-šiqā | Speculative |
| I-ZU-RI-NI-TA | ʾi-ṯawrīnīta | Candidate |
| KA-U-ZU-NI | Kawṯuni | Speculative |
| KU-PA-ZU | Kapizzi | Speculative |
| KU-ZU-NI | Kuṯinu | Candidate |
| MA-ZU | maṯu | Speculative |
| PI-KU-ZU | bi-kuṯ | Speculative |
| QE-SI-ZU-E | qīši ṯuʿē | Speculative |
| RU-ZU-NA | rāzin(a) | Speculative |
| ZU | ṯūm | Candidate |
| ZU-\*301 | ṯannān | Speculative |
| ZU-DI | ṯudī | Probable |
| ZU-DI-RA | ṯudira | Candidate |
| ZU-DU | ṯudu | Candidate |
| ZU-JU-PU₂ | ṯulpu | Candidate |
| ZU-RI-NI-MA | Ṯūrinima | Speculative |
| ZU-SU | Ṣūṣu | Speculative |

## Linked from

- [Syllabic signs](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/lexicon/signs/syllabic/index.md>)

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Page: https://linear-a.ai/wiki/lexicon/signs/syllabic/ZU/
Licence: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Cite as: di Mino, Tom. 2026. Linear A Lexicon. Plasma AI. https://linear-a.ai/. Data: kaphtor, commit add28e94.