Irving Finkel: Deciphering Secrets of Ancient Civilizations & Flood Myths | Lex Fridman Podcast #487

Professor Finkel is a world cultural gem. His enthusiasm and his insistence that we don't really know anything, we only have the earliest evidence of things, makes him almost unique in this space. Love his lectures. Love his crankiness. Love his humanity.

He started off by saying that It is "very very unlikely" That the first evidence we have for writing is the first writing in history. I am so sincerely happy to see someone so rational to finally say this, That's all I need to know that this is going to be an awesome podcast.

Hearing Santa say the F word so emphatically, with that accent, is the greatest Xmas gift I have ever received. Thank you🙏💜🎄

Dr. Finkel is one of the best guests that you have hosted so far, Lex. This was far too short.

Irving finkel is such a delightful wizard.

Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep487-sa See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc. 0:00 - Introduction 0:58 - Origins of human language 7:04 - Cuneiform 14:17 - Controversial theory about Göbekli Tepe 25:29 - How to write and speak Cuneiform 30:48 - Primitive human language 32:31 - Development of writing systems 33:25 - Decipherment of Cuneiform 45:57 - Limits of language 50:56 - Art of translation 56:06 - Gods 1:01:31 - Ghosts 1:11:19 - Ancient flood stories 1:21:26 - Noah's Ark 1:32:49 - The Royal Game of Ur 1:45:48 - British Museum 1:53:13 - Evolution of human civilization *Transcript:* https://lexfridman.com/irving-finkel-transcript *CONTACT LEX:* *Feedback* - give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey *AMA* - submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama *Hiring* - join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring *Other* - other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact *EPISODE LINKS:* Irving's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drirvingfinkel/ The Ark Before Noah (book): https://amzn.to/4j2U0DW Irving Lectures Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYXwZvOwHjVcFUi9iEqirkXRaCUJdXGha British Museum Video Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0LQM0SAx603A6p5EJ9DVcESqQReT7QyK British Museum Website: https://www.britishmuseum.org/ The Great Diary Project: https://thegreatdiaryproject.co.uk/ *SPONSORS:* To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts: *Shopify:* Sell stuff online. Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/shopify-ep487-sa *Miro:* Online collaborative whiteboard platform. Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/miro-ep487-sa *Chevron:* Reliable energy for data centers. Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/chevron-ep487-sa *LMNT:* Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix. Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/lmnt-ep487-sa *AG1:* All-in-one daily nutrition drink. Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/ag1-ep487-sa

prof Finkel is also very humble. Once I was in the middle of nowhere in France writing a paper and needed access to one of his papers published in extremely technical journal. I wrote him an email, and to my surprise, he answered it with a pdf in less than 24 hours!

I've never seen Irving Finkle so animated or willing to discuss controversial topics. What a great conversation!

this guy is one of the best narrators possible. i could listen to him narrate stories and documentaries all day

I’m six minutes in which might only be four minutes of this man talking, but I feel his ability to utilize communication is that the highest of standards Lex Freeman said a couple words and this dude has taken you through thousands of years of communication within seconds with great detail and extreme clarity