Yuri Knorozov

Yuri Knorozov
Юрий Кнорозов
Knorozov with Asya, his Siamese cat
Born
Yuri Valentinovich Knorozov

(1922-11-19)19 November 1922
Died30 March 1999(1999-03-30) (aged 76)
Citizenship
Known forDecipherment of Maya script
Academic background
EducationMoscow State University
Academic work
Discipline
InstitutionsInstitute of Anthropology and Ethnography
Notable studentsGalina Yershova

Yuri Valentinovich Knorozov (Russian: Юрий Валентинович Кнорозов; 19 November 1922  30 March 1999) was a Soviet and Russian linguist, epigraphist, and ethnologist. He is best known for the key role he played in the decipherment of the Maya script, the writing system of the Maya civilization of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.