Sure, let's break it down step by step. First, catalog every distinct symbol and note how often each appears. Then look for patterns of repetition—two‑symbol pairs, three‑symbol sequences, anything that occurs frequently. Once you have a frequency list, compare it to common cipher patterns—maybe a simple substitution or a Vigenère shift. Check if any segments form recognizable shapes or align with known ancient scripts. Finally, test a few hypotheses in a spreadsheet: replace symbols with letters and see if any words emerge. If the pattern persists, we can refine the key; if not, we’ll need to consider a more complex encoding.

Good plan. Keep the ledger clean—use a separate column for each symbol’s count, and mark the most frequent ones at the top. Once you’ve got a list, run a quick test: map the top symbol to the letter “E,” the next to “T,” and so on. If that yields legible fragments, you’ve hit the right key. If nothing shapes up, look for recurring pairs or triplets; those might be digraphs or common syllables in the script. Remember to stay systematic—one change at a time, record the result. It’ll be a slow grind, but that’s where the precision pays off.

Excellent. Keep the ledger organized, use clear numbering for each symbol, and record every adjustment. Once you’ve got a solid frequency table, cross‑check with known scripts and try the classic “E‑T‑A‑O” key. If that fails, group the symbols into pairs and triplets—look for recurring sequences that could be common digraphs or syllables. Just remember: each change must be logged, so the process stays transparent and repeatable. That’s how you avoid losing the hidden meaning in the noise.

Sounds solid. Keep the table tight, note each symbol’s frequency, then swap in the letters one at a time. If the text stays garbled, move on to the pair‑and‑triplet analysis. Every tweak should be logged; that way you can backtrack if a substitution leads you astray. Precision will pay off.