How wedge-shaped marks on clay transformed human history forever
In short: Discover the origins of writing through the eyes of British Museum curator Irving Finkel. This talk explores how cuneiform, the world's earliest script, preserved secrets from five millennia ago.
Emerging in Mesopotamia during the late fourth millennium BC, cuneiform was created by pressing a reed stylus into soft clay to leave wedge-shaped impressions. This invention made history possible by allowing information to be recorded for the first time.
Irving Finkel, curator of the British Museum's extensive Mesopotamian collection, discusses the complexities of translating these ancient archives. His work includes identifying and joining fragmented manuscripts, revealing stories that predate much of known history, such as the account of the flood found in 'The Ark Before Noah'.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Cracking Ancient Codes: Cuneiform Writing - with Irving Finkel
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/ideas-cracking-ancient-codes-cuneiform-writing-with-irving-finkel.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
