Archaeology Now: Explore, Preserve, Transmit Cultural Heritage: Saturday Workshop (Hybrid)

This engaging workshop includes three sessions and a box lunch. This cycle of intimate talks shows what we have learned about the culture of ancient Mesopotamia thanks to the survival of clay tablets in cuneiform writing. Each talk features a PowerPoint presentation of images. No prior knowledge is required. NOTE – each session is one hour.

Session 1: Great Cuneiform Inscriptions | 10 - 11a CT
A voyage through some of the world's most iconic cuneiform texts: Gilgamesh; Inanna's Descent; modern-
sounding astrological texts; royal and private letters; songs and music and recipes for beer.

Session 2: Amulets and Magic Spells | 11:15 - 12:15p CT
Demons, devils and witches could be troublesome for ancient Mesopotamians, but expert exorcists were
available with pocketfuls of magic spells and knowledge of rituals to drive them out and leave their clients
in piece. We will investigate some of their repertoire.

Lunch | 12:15 – 1:00p CT

Session 3: On Ghosts | 1:00 – 2:00 CT
Like all peoples of the world the ancient inhabitants of Iraq knew all about ghosts. Many texts and
descriptions inform us what they were like, what they did, how to get rid of them or how to summon one up
to confide information about the future for a wealthy client.

Generously sponsored by Archaeology Now in partnership with The British Consulate-Houston.

Dr. Irving Finkel, Assistant Keeper of Ancient Mesopotamian Script, Languages, and Cultures in the Middle East Department of the British Museum, curates, reads, and translates cuneiform inscriptions on clay tablets from ancient Mesopotamia. The British Museum has the largest collection of tablets–130,000 pieces–of any museum. In addition to his research on cuneiform, Dr Finkel specializes in ancient Mesopotamian medicine and magic, and he is interested in the literature, religion, and the history of ideas in the Middle East. He is fascinated by the history of board games throughout the world, and especially the preservation of traditional board games in many non-Western societies.
Among the revelations he has divined are the original blueprints for Noah’s Ark and a rulebook to an ancient board game, “The Royal Game of Ur.”

This program is being offered both IN-PERSON and ONLINE. Please select how you will attend when registering. Recordings will be distributed to registered participants only, and will not be available for individual purchase.

All times are CT. Please contact onlinelearning@junghouston.org with any questions.

Please register early. Programs with four or fewer participants are subject to cancellation, 48 hours prior to their start.