Deciphering Secrets of Ancient Civilizations, Noah's Ark, and Flood Myths | Lex Fridman Podcast #487

Irving Finkel discusses the origins of writing, dating back to 3500 BC in Mesopotamia. He explains how early pictographic signs evolved to represent sounds, a crucial step in liberating writing from merely depicting objects to recording language. Finkel proposes a controversial theory that earlier, perishable forms of writing might exist, evidenced by discoveries like the Gobekli Tepe seal, suggesting that the well-preserved cuneiform tablets are not the earliest form of written communication.

Finkel introduces cuneiform, the wedge-shaped writing system that lasted over three millennia. He describes the decipherment process, likening it to the Rosetta Stone, where a trilingual inscription at Bisutun, including Old Persian, Babylonian, and Elamite, was key. He credits Edward Hincks, not Henry Rawlinson, with truly understanding the complex, multivalent nature of cuneiform signs. He also explains the syllabic nature of cuneiform, where signs represent syllables rather than individual letters, and the challenge of reading texts without word breaks.

Finkel delves into the two primary languages recorded in cuneiform: Babylonian, a Semitic language related to Hebrew and Arabic, and Sumerian, an agglutinative language unrelated to any other known language, suggesting that many related languages from its family are now lost. He discusses the motivations behind developing written language, attributing it to the organizational needs of complex urban societies and the need for communication between diverse groups.

Finkel explores the rich literary tradition of Mesopotamia, including everyday documents, royal chronicles, literature, magic, and medicine. He highlights the Epic of Gilgamesh as a profound work exploring themes of humanity and immortality. He also discusses the ancient Mesopotamian relationship with the divine, characterized by a vast pantheon of gods who were seen as powerful but also unpredictable, requiring appeasement through rituals and offerings. He contrasts this polytheistic view with the dogmatism of monotheistic religions.

Finkel recounts his discovery and decipherment of the Ark Tablet, a 1700 BC Babylonian clay tablet detailing a flood narrative that predates the biblical story of Noah by a thousand years. This tablet describes a round, coracle-shaped ark, providing specific instructions for its construction. He suggests that the biblical flood narrative is a literary adaptation of older Mesopotamian flood myths, incorporating unique theological interpretations. He also discusses the human tendency to remember and transmit catastrophic events through oral tradition.

Finkel describes the ancient Royal Game of Ur, a board game discovered in royal tombs and popular across the Middle East for nearly 3,000 years. He explains how he cracked the rules of the game by deciphering a late Babylonian tablet, revealing a mix of chance and strategy. He reflects on the universal human desire to play games and their role as 'time pass' in ancient cultures, noting their ability to offer entertainment and safe outlets for competition.

Finkel extols the British Museum as a unique institution celebrating the achievements of mankind and representing the entire human story through its vast collection of artifacts. He emphasizes its role in preserving history for future generations and providing insights into human wisdom. He argues against the notion that ancient peoples were lesser, suggesting instead that they were fundamentally similar to modern humans, but perhaps more naturally attuned to their environment, unburdened by the complexities of modern technology.

Finkel expresses concern about the impact of modern electronic communication on language and critical thinking. He stresses the importance of rich vocabulary and clear communication for the quality of thought. He contrasts the immediate, often ephemeral, nature of contemporary culture with the enduring significance of artifacts and ideas preserved in places like the British Museum, highlighting the value of long-term perspective and intellectual rigor.