Learn the ancient art of cuneiform writing from a British Museum expert
In short: Irving Finkel provides a hands-on demonstration of how to write cuneiform, the wedge-shaped script of ancient Mesopotamia. This session offers a rare opportunity to observe the techniques required to master this foundational writing system, making it an essential watch for those interested in the origins of human literacy.
Cuneiform represents one of the earliest known forms of writing, characterized by its distinct wedge-shaped marks pressed into clay. This video captures a practical lesson on the mechanics of the script, highlighting the physical process of creating these ancient characters.
The demonstration coincides with the museum's major exhibition dedicated to Ashurbanipal, the ruler of the Assyrian Empire. This exhibition, which ran from November 8, 2018, to February 24, 2019, showcased the historical significance of a king who famously styled himself as the monarch of the world.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How to write cuneiform with Irving Finkel and @preservethings I Curator's Corner S4 Ep9
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