Old Persian: Zamindar

From: ivanovas@...
Message: 41
Date: 1999-09-25

Hello,
I'm a new member to this list, interested in linguistics but actually a
dillettante. I have an M.A. in comparative literature, but have changed
my field of interest from mythology only to working with the Bronze Age
culture of Minoan Crete (where I live, well even the Minoan is true in
a way...)
I'm working with iconography, plant lore and placenames, and through
this work came across an Old Persian word 'Zamindar', belonging to the
earth terms. Is anybody on this list who can tell me a little more
about this word and possible cognates in other IE languages? There are
several Cretan pre-Greek placenames that seem to contain a similar
term. Which is the root, which the pre-and suffixes? I have absolutely
no idea of ancient Iranian languages, unfortunately.
Thanks for listening

Sabine Ivanovas
Crete