Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Irving Finkel is a scholar of ancient languages and a longtime curator at the British Museum, renowned for his expertise in Mesopotamian history and cuneiform writing. He specializes in reading and interpreting cuneiform inscriptions, including tablets from Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, and Assyrian contexts. He became widely known for studying a tablet with a Mesopotamian flood story that predates the biblical Noah narrative, which he presented in his book "The Ark Before Noah" and in a documentary that involved building a circular ark based on the tablet's technical instructions.
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*Transcript:*
lexfridman.com/irving-finkel-transcript
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*EPISODE LINKS:*
Irving's Instagram: instagram.com/drirvingfinkel
The Ark Before Noah (book): amzn.to/4j2U0DW
Irving Lectures Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYXwZvOwHjVcFUi9iEqirkXRaCUJdXGha
British Museum Video Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0LQM0SAx603A6p5EJ9DVcESqQReT7QyK
British Museum Website: britishmuseum.org
The Great Diary Project: thegreatdiaryproject.co.uk
*SPONSORS:*
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*OUTLINE:*
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
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- Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2lwqZIr
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- Podcast Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4
- Clips Channel: youtube.com/lexclips
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Irving Finkel is a scholar of ancient languages and a longtime curator at the British Museum, renowned for his expertise in Mesopotamian history and cuneiform writing. He specializes in reading and interpreting cuneiform inscriptions, including tablets from Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, and Assyrian contexts. He became widely known for studying a tablet with a Mesopotamian flood story that predates the biblical Noah narrative, which he presented in his book "The Ark Before Noah" and in a documentary that involved building a circular ark based on the tablet's technical instructions.
Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep487-sb
See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.
*Transcript:*
lexfridman.com/irving-finkel-transcript
*CONTACT LEX:*
*Feedback* - give feedback to Lex: lexfridman.com/survey
*AMA* - submit questions, videos or call-in: lexfridman.com/ama
*Hiring* - join our team: lexfridman.com/hiring
*Other* - other ways to get in touch: lexfridman.com/contact
*EPISODE LINKS:*
Irving's Instagram: instagram.com/drirvingfinkel
The Ark Before Noah (book): amzn.to/4j2U0DW
Irving Lectures Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYXwZvOwHjVcFUi9iEqirkXRaCUJdXGha
British Museum Video Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0LQM0SAx603A6p5EJ9DVcESqQReT7QyK
British Museum Website: britishmuseum.org
The Great Diary Project: thegreatdiaryproject.co.uk
*SPONSORS:*
To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts:
*Shopify:* Sell stuff online.
Go to lexfridman.com/s/shopify-ep487-sb
*Miro:* Online collaborative whiteboard platform.
Go to lexfridman.com/s/miro-ep487-sb
*Chevron:* Reliable energy for data centers.
Go to lexfridman.com/s/chevron-ep487-sb
*LMNT:* Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix.
Go to lexfridman.com/s/lmnt-ep487-sb
*AG1:* All-in-one daily nutrition drink.
Go to lexfridman.com/s/ag1-ep487-sb
*OUTLINE:*
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
*PODCAST LINKS:*
- Podcast Website: lexfridman.com/podcast
- Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2lwqZIr
- Spotify: spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
- RSS: lexfridman.com/feed/podcast
- Podcast Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4
- Clips Channel: youtube.com/lexclips
*SOCIAL LINKS:*
- X: https://x.com/lexfridman
- Instagram: instagram.com/lexfridman
- TikTok: tiktok.com/@lexfridman
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lexfridman
- Facebook: facebook.com/lexfridman
- Patreon: patreon.com/lexfridman
- Telegram: https://t.me/lexfridman
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