The Babylonian Map of the World with Irving Finkel | Curator’s Corner S9 Ep5

The Babylonian map of the world is the oldest map of the world, in the world. Written and inscribed on clay in Mesopotamia around 2,900-years-ago, it is, like so many cuneiform tablets, incomplete. However, Irving Finkel and a particularly gifted student of his - Edith Horsley - managed to locate a missing piece of the map, slot it back into the cuneiform tablet, and from there set us all on journey through the somewhat mythical landscape of Mesopotamia to find the final resting place of the ark. And yes we mean that ark, as in Noah's ark. Although in the earlier Mesopotamian version of the flood story, the ark is built by Ziusudra.

CONTENT WARNING:
Contains a baby Irving. His beard is not white.

00:00 Intro
00:52 Ancient Mesopotamian Cuneiform Tablets
01:48 The oldest map of the world, in the world
02:07 What is the Babylonian Map of the World?
02:34 The Babylonian Map of the World explained
04:13 What are the triangles on the Babylonian Map of the World?
06:17 Missing triangle on the Babylonian Map of the World
06:52 Edith Horsley - Cuneiform LEGEND
07:20 Channel 4 News report on Babylonian Map of the World September 1995
08:32 BABY IRVING!
09:48 What the missing piece revealed
11:39 The ark and parsiktu-vessel
13:22 Mount Ararat and Mount Urartu
14:18 What does it all mean?
15:07 Author of Babylonian Map of the World

#mesopotamia #curatorscorner #babylon

[CharIie.brzzzz]

Dude talked about a piece of clay for 17min and I wasn’t bored even a sec. 10/10

[hailsatin]

Please double the amount of Irving Finkle content. It still won't be enough, but this man is a treasure and needs to have his brilliance preserved

[capt.bart.roberts]

Mr. Finkel, you are a great british treasure. That was just wonderful, you are truly talented story teller.

[tommychamberlin]

Special thanks to Dr. Finkel for this great video - I made the mistake last night of using this video to help my 8 year old daughter to go to sleep ... I knew I'd enjoy it but thought it'd put her out. However, the opposite happened - she was so interested that she wasn't pleased when I paused it and then wanted to watch more once the video ended. I greatly enjoyed the video but the highest compliment comes from my 8 year old who wants to see more.

[laki]

A younger looking Finkel still looks like an an ancient wizard.

[sfperalta]

There should be a YT channel where Prof Finkel says "Good morning! Time to wake up!", and then gives you a tiny history lesson to start your day. I would subscribe! What a wonderful personality and resource.

[MasterJediDude]

I love this! What an amazing teacher! There's no wonder he has students volunteering to do this work. He makes this entire video so much fun to watch and I love his style and his personality. This is what makes learning fun and exciting! Thank you Professor Finkel!

[dato]

There are treasures on YouTube - and Irving Finkel is one of the most brilliant. Thank you!

[spooksprings]

Living epitomy of a proper professor, informative, knowledgable, racounteur, eccentric, wild beard, likeable, vivid, engaging

[lilitheden]

Professor Finkel is one of those people you can’t get enough of. Listening to hm is such a treat. I cherish every moment of it.

[maj]

As an Iraqi I say thank you from the bottom of my heart for preserving and deciphering the codes. I wish I could shake your hand one day to thank you.

[maryc]

It's fascinating that Dr. Finkel appears to be the Curator plucked from my imagination when I think of a masterful historian. His appearance and story-telling skills are mesmerizing! More of him, please! His excitement and passion are contagious!

[richbuilds_com]

I would gladly listen to this man read out the telephone book.

Such an engaging story teller with a deep knowledge and infectious passion for his subject matter.

He's not on enough! <3

[dogduz]

That man is a 100% character that you can listen to for hours. He draws you into his circle of confidence and there is not escape until a YT commercial comes blaring to the screen to disturb your solitary visit with this man. From the US here, but we have nothing like him, he is an Englishman through and through.

[thecaveofthedead]

This is one of the best videos I've ever seen on Youtube. Finkel's storytelling ability is unparalleled. And the production team did a superb job adding to the magic with the graphics.

[marktunnicliffe]

It's always a joy to listen to people who cleary love the subject they specialise in. Dr Finkel's engaging, witty & passionate style is perfect.

[douglasboyle]

"A rrrreplica" 😆

I swear, Irving Finkle and his knowledge are deserving of his own museum.

[SaxeGrove]

I have missed Dr Finkel so much. So nice to hear from you again.

[MariaFrancaSerrau]

I could listen to Mr Finkel for hours and hours. This has been the most interesting, entertaining and delightful lesson on the BM channel so far!!! The British Museum curators are the best and Mr Finkel is the best of the best!!!

[llchapman]

Professor Finkle shows why it's so important to continue the traditions of oral storytelling, even in science. His words breath life into the past, ressurecting these people long gone, and making them relatable to all of us once more.