About this podcast

Dive deep into the enigmatic world of ancient civilizations with Lex Fridman and renowned scholar Irving Finkel. In this captivating podcast episode, Dr. Finkel, a longtime curator at the British Museum and an expert in Mesopotamian history and cuneiform writing, unveils secrets of early human communication, the origins of writing, and the fascinating history of cuneiform inscriptions. Explore the groundbreaking discovery of a Mesopotamian flood story that predates the biblical Noah narrative, as detailed in Finkel's book 'The Ark Before Noah.' This discussion also delves into the decipherment of cuneiform, the evolution of language, ancient board games like The Royal Game of Ur, and profound insights into gods, ghosts, and the development of human civilization. A must-listen for anyone intrigued by history, linguistics, and the mysteries of our ancient past.