Irving Finkel teaches how to write cuneiform I Curator's Corner Season 4 Episode 8

When presented with a meeting-free Friday afternoon we did what any normal person who has access to Irving Finkel would do - we asked him to teach us cuneiform. We're not really sure Nick learned anything, but hopefully you will.
If you want to learn cuneiform from the man himself, Irving has written a book to help you with just that. It also includes the cheat sheet we were both using: bit.ly/3wJzm5x
Outside the UK? Get it here: bit.ly/3NvdH6U
The Ashurbanipal exhibition is now over, however you can get the exhibition book here: bit.ly/3JPaH31
Outside the UK? Get it here: bit.ly/36ARl3t
The BP exhibition I am Ashurbanipal: king of the world, king of Assyria
8 November 2018 - 24 February 2019
Book now goo.gl/wUnur2
Supported by BP
Logistics partner IAG Cargo
#Ashurbanipal #CuratorsCorner #IrvingFinkel

[@britishmuseum]

If you're like to learn a little cuneiform (likely far more than Nick did) you can get Irving's beginners guide to cuneiform, which includes the 'fascinating and demanding' sheet of cuneiform symbols used in the video here: bit.ly/3LDcY27 If you're outside the UK you can buy it here: bit.ly/3iIcTNX And if you'd just like to know a lot more about Ashurbanipal, even though our exhibition has now sadly closed you can get the exhibition catalogue here: bit.ly/35hZl8V

[@withlessAsbestos]

Tell Mr. Finkel that his name means “Green River, Sparkle”

[@dadevi]

Quite honestly, even though he's an esteemed scholar, Mr. Finkel is using improper technique. The clay would be very wet, like potter's clay, and it took far more skill of the wrist to quickly make quick impressions. The clay was then fired in kilns to make permanent records, and or left in the sun to dry to make temporary records. Perhaps the professor should focus less on jokes and more on historical accuracy.

[@ellobosolitario19]

The sheet of cuneiform has few characters ¿ Where are the rest of characters? ¿ Is there another sheet of cuneiform? ¿ Does the sheet of cuneiform represent akkadian or sumerian sound?

[@MrValonievs]

Finkel is in fact an ancient Sumerian Wizard, achieving immortality, seeking to reintroduce his ancient culture and language to the modern age.

[@riddickmarkus69]

I dont have any doubt on my mind about it.

[@greergarlick4675]

Teach me oh wise man 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@davemorgan6013]

Oh, I thought he was Chaldean- they were known for all this sorcery stuff.

[@redfaldas7524]

He's the owner of the snake that took the Herb of Immortality from Gilgamesh after his trip. The snake only took a small portion of the herb, but Finkel took the majority and created an elixir via plant alchemy.

[@monkzeroone5157]

@RIkkiji Well, he IS a wizard...

[@scaryfaced1]

"Diagonal, from the Greek diagonal, meaning diagonal."

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

scaryfaced1 - 😂

[@UberJamesMan]

This dude was straight trolling the whole time while he was teaching

[@armitagehux8190]

That's not the only thing they took from Greece ( Elgin marbles from the Parthenon )

[@johndoeanon445]

@@armitagehux8190 The Elgin Marbles were bought, not taken.

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

Mattias Bengtsson - Bought from an Ottoman Turk who had no right to them in the first place (other than that of a foreign invader that lays claim by force to things which belong to other people). The next time you cast your eye on one of your banal possessions imagine one of the ‘invaders’ currently occupying Sweden 🇸🇪 selling it off to a foreign tourist without your consent. I imagine you won’t entertain the same sentiments about the legitimacy of the sale as you do with the Parthenon Marbles - which by any standards, I think are a little more culturally meaningful than your Volvo or IKEA lamp...no?

[@anttibjorklund1869]

"Who gives a flying f***?" How to enamour a historian to the wider audience: hear them swear.

[@MiguelMorales85]

It works

[@acesul8811]

@@MiguelMorales85 On the low IQ

[@marypoppins2232]

@@acesul8811 Actually, only those with low IQ are offended by mere words. To think that appeals to only people with low IQ is one of the stupidest things I have read.

[@acesul8811]

@@marypoppins2232 So your Professor said "Fuck". Hilarious. Got your attention for 5 seconds, right? Now what? Nothing. You still have the attention span of a rock.

[@marypoppins2232]

@@acesul8811 Your argument is ridiculous.

[@augustvalek]

Are we sure Dr. Finkle isn't in fact an ancient sumerian under the guise of a modern time historian? We will never know

[@britishmuseum]

He refuses to answer that question. We can't help you

[@randomcommenter7343]

If he refuses to answer, that's definitely a "yes."

[@badluckrabbit]

I'm pretty sure he's the real-life equivalent of time-traveling Merlin from Disney's Sword in the Stone

[@Mlpzeldafan011100]

It would make sense with his knowledge of the flood story... could be he's just Utnapishtim who's been kicking around in england for a while after his last time shedding his age

[@icarus6492]

An ancient sumerian wizard who found the spell for immortality and had survived the ages this whole time? You know, I could actually believe that. Haha

[@keyholes]

Someone give this gentleman a BBC series stat, I need hours of his joyful enthusiasm.

[@mrmcbeardy9268]

Amen to that! 🙏😅💯

[@arringar]

I couldn’t agree more!

[@benosick9927]

The amount of raw Britishness radiating from this man is astounding.

[@syiunshi]

you mean Jewishness?

[@keitidid]

The way he is describing cuneiform really reminds me of Japanese. It is like he gave Nick a sheet of hiragana, but Ashurbanipal is written with kanji. Troll level 1000.

[@TheJackBaker]

I actually was thinking the exact same thing. They are very similar in the the layout phonetically.

[@jacobkissinger5540]

And the relationship between Akkadian and Sumerian is a lot like that between Japanese and Chinese in that in Japanese, too, you can use Chinese characters for their meaning instead of their sound.

[@matthuckabey007]

Well put... however I think this is too smart for most people.

[@eyeheisenberg2278]

@@matthuckabey007 its not a matter of smarts but specific knowledge.

[@gingerale1591]

@Raghib Qazi because Kanji and Kana were made by aliens, of course.

[@pallasproserpina4118]

4:23 “Through that number of degrees” few things are more enduring than Irving Finkel’s refusal to pay any attention to maths

[@anthonyandrew3032]

coolest old guy in the world.If the teachers were like him in my day I would be a whole lot brighter

[@Moraren]

@Accretion Disk I would even go back to school for that!

[@Hypatia4242]

My dear, there is still time.

[@RaveBabyFuu]

Here, here!

[@mefnow]

He is like that because he doesn't have to deal with kids

[@keelyclevenger]

We all would have been

[@amindnile]

I was not expecting this to be so hilarious when I clicked on the link. What a fun treat and great way to teach.

[@SweGunner71]

Irving Finkel has the best and driest form British of humor ever.

[@Insectoid_]

SweGunner71 humour* 😁

[@joearnold6881]

Finkle is a treasure

[@BrianCarnevaleB26]

"Rubbish!" ;p

[@mrmcbeardy9268]

@@BrianCarnevaleB26 funnily, when i read that i heard Irvings voice in my head 😅

[@bethyngalw]

My mother was at university with Irving Finkel, she said that in the mesopotamian linguistics course at the university, the students walked into their final exam to find that there was a slab of clay and a stylus on each desk and nothing else. and everybody's hearts jumped into their mouths. I'm now not sure if he was the tutor then too, (tutors were usually PhD students) or if they were both undergrads learning together, because she said he was a bit older than her.

[@maryt6426]

Thank you for sharing this story. :)

[@UkuleleVillain]

I do wanna get into linguistics

[@begformeowcy]

Love this story!

[@rhayat10]

I can see that he's old, but I had no idea that he's from the Age of the Tutors.

[@popojojololo]

Amazing that sound like an exam no one can forget 😂😂 I wish I was in his class too

[@jenniferrussellstudio]

"Do not mettle with the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger!" J.J.R. Tolkien

[@johnclever8813]

Tolkien also knew old English, Latin, French, Finnish, gothic, Greek, Italian, old Norse, Spanish, welsh, and medieval welsh, all before leaving high school. Later on, he learned Danish, Dutch, lombardic, Norwegian, Russian, Serbian, and Swedish. He also learned the middle and old versions of most of these. He originally wrote the Sillmarillion in a language he invented. I’m sure he would appreciate this.

[@ViceAdmiralMcNugget]

This is the most preposterously British thing I have ever seen. And I couldn't be happier.

[@mudgetheexpendable]

"They did have more than one (god)?" "Bucketfuls, in fact." LOLOLOL

[@britishmuseum]

Little known fact - bucketful is the formal collective noun for a group of Assyrian deities...

[@mudgetheexpendable]

...so another one could be a "boatload of Olympians" and "shedload of Aesir?"

[@Hypatia4242]

Seems like an appropriate unit of measurement given their flood mythology.

[@beth12svist]

@@mudgetheexpendable Surely both cultures would have boatloads?

[@kikiethatsme628]

Now that I stop and think about it, that sounds like a Percy Jackson book quote!

[@LucasPreti]

I need my Irving fix

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

Lucas Preti - ditto.

[@Skelingtronnn]

After the break: Nick: "Can I touch your beard? Oh, we are live!" Irving: "Fortunately."

[@Tiger74147]

"I have but scant acquaintance with money of any kind." Hah! Too right.

[@limaromeo8745]

I love how Irving says “who gives a flying...” right before teaching a skill he must have really given a flying before.

[@reddishcat1]

Irving Finkel is my spirit animal

[@KougajiCalling]

Mine too.

[@BradyPostma]

I wish he was mine! He's much more fun and cheery than I am.

[@rocketforthree4479]

I just noticed how the Boardgame of Ur is in the background on the shelf above them! That's lovely and amazing.

[@david8373]

From Wikipedia page about Irving Finkel: ...Among his breakthrough works is the determination of the rules of the Royal Game of Ur...

[@verybarebones]

If I ever get a job I'm 1/10th as passionate about as Irving Finkel is for his, I'll be damn happy. I love history and I love hearing about it from someone who obviously enjoys it as much.

[@husambotros3958]

Irving Finkel .. Mesopotamia is proud of you.. you are one true man of history whom everyone respect.

[@qwertyTRiG]

Irving Finkel is such a delightful troll.

[@shynkycker]

I literally just signed up to youtube to be able to say (despite the age of this video) this is one of the most entertaining videos I have watched on this platform. You are the quintessential professor of antiquities, Dr. Finkle, and long may you educate, elucidate and amuse...ilate

[@sundhaug92]

"You've got control of these three possibilities" "I've definitively got the control of two"

[@edwardcumpstey9061]

Legend says The British Museum will heart this historic comment.

[@britishmuseum]

We got Irving to check a few Babylonian texts - the legend checks out

[@edwardcumpstey9061]

@@britishmuseum Marvelous!

[@Hypatia4242]

That was some mighty fine conjuring you did.

[@britishmuseum]

You guys seem pretty unanimous on the Q&A with Irving - so we're doing it! Catch us at 16:15 GMT tomorrow and Irving will answer your cuneiform/Ashurbanipal based questions (as humanity still hasn't mastered the clay-based keyboard, we'll be doing the typing). See you then!

[@ingeborg-anne]

I hope you see that the professor is one of your best treasures, and seeing that you're the British Museum, that's saying something!

[@generalleenknassknotretire9180]

The 1st thing I'll ask him is, the word for that angled line that cuts through the middle of a square, to make it 2 triangles.

[@GUITARofAWSOME]

Can we please get a historical documentary narrated by Irving? His voice would be perfect

[@ingeborg-anne]

Prof. Irvin: The third one is what we call 'diagonal', from the Greek 'diagonal', meaning 'diagonal'... Me: * takes detailed notes while nodding * Now I need to frolic outside and eat some yoghurt

[@squishykotetsu]

Ah, a fellow binge watcher I assume? Greetings and congratulations, you made me laugh

[@Vasharan]

Yoghurt, from the Turkish word, yoghurt, meaning yoghurt.

[@Ryan-in3ot]

@@Vasharan yoğurdu :P

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

These two ought to star in their own ‘reality show’- “Keeping up with the Finkels”...

[@PopGoesTheology]

OMG, the patience it requires! This really gives one respect and appreciation for the hard work scholars have to do to translate all those ancient texts that we so love to read! Thanks, Irving!!!

[@jmitterii2]

Learning a new alphabet for the first time... judging by the quantity and skill looking at very tiny clay slabs, those scribes probably could write super quick, like we do in our respective alphabets using paper, pen, pencil, or whatever mediums used today.

[@techno1561]

​@@jmitterii2With how they could just press down to make letters, it might be more like typing.

[@susanneyuk-pingpong8705]

It's Draco Malfoy and Dumbledore!

[@robertfletcher3421]

I was thinking along those lines.

[@themeatpopsicle]

live action fanfic

[@elonwhatever]

This is interesting, I feel like he has word diarrhea. Quite entertaining

[@generalleenknassknotretire9180]

JONATHAN SUTCLIFFE Remember, If you hit the magic "⏏️" you'll appear almost sane. ...but only on the Internet.

[@generalleenknassknotretire9180]

It's like knowing everyone else in this world, is a pathetically easy to manipulate, fool. And then inventing a religion. History is filled with such sane, and noble men.

[@stewforwords]

Listening to Dr. Finkel throw salt is timeless.

[@branstooka]

This was so delightful! Please don't let Irving Finkel ever die, he is a national treasure himself!😊

[@britishmuseum]

Thanks to everyone who took part in our first premiere - Irving thoroughly enjoyed answering your questions. We know lots of you couldn't join in due to timezones. If you still have a question for Irving reply to this comment with it and we'll send them over to him.

[@janolbratowski1814]

When I have seen tablets on the exhibition, I was wondering, if they were using some spacing between words and sentences or at least any kind of sign showing "this is where the word or sentence ends"? Because it's hard for me to imagine, how they managed to write and read without using something like this.

[@juliaconnell]

Kia Ora from New Zealand - yes, was a little early here (about 6am..) so yes missed it - not a question - just please let Irving know what a national - and international - treasure he is - an absolute joy to watch every time - thank you, more please ❤️😘 edit: actually I do have a question after all - numbers - did they do numbers? (I assume they did) - how did they do numbers?

[@Bradal4ck]

What made you decide to study Assyrian writing, and their history? How did you find your passion so easily, and is there any suggestions to a lost soul trying to find his passion in his mid twenties? Thank you, you're truly an inspiration.

[@a.cesquire7856]

Have you ever used cuneiform to write memos in the office? if not, would you consider doing it?

[@cholulahotsauce6166]

Both of these scribes were right handed and their horizontal wedges had the narrow end towards the right. Is there any evidence of left handed scribes in the tablet record?

[@Marconius6]

If this seems insane to anyone... this is basically what Japanese and Chinese are like, right down to the weird thing where you can use characters of one to write the other, but pronounce them differently.

[@kalo_yanis]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@RhodianColossus]

To be exact: Chinese is made of logograms, the symbols encode only meaning and not sound. Japanese has its own two writing systems, syllabaries like Sumerian cuneiform (which encode sound as parts of or whole syllables), but it also uses Chinese characters here and there and everywhere because fuck logic. Assyrian, Akkadian, Hittite, Luwite etc. use Cuneiform for their own syllables, but also sometimes treat entire Sumerian words as their translations, like Japanese takes an entire Chinese logogram and uses it. The key difference is that in Japanese the kanji are fairly clearly kanji and while incredibly confusing in general, are contextually clear that they are not to be read phonetically because they don't look like that. Sumerograms are just straight up whole words of Sumerian that you have to know to replace with your own word when you read them out loud, otherwise you've just said "DU" instead of "bani" and everyone who can't read thinks you're retarded.

[@Marconius6]

@@RhodianColossus Doesn't the video say there's a little extra character to indicate "Hey, this is Sumerian!"?

[@kalo_yanis]

@@RhodianColossus True, but both Hiragana and Katakana derive from Chinese characters (i.e. Kanji) via the man'yōgana system. Once upon a time it was not so clear whether a given character was to be read as per its phonetic or semantic value.

[@francescomauro6051]

It’s more similar to the stage where japanese used the Manyougana. The two syllabaries weren’t invented yet so they used just Chinese logographs but some of them maintained the original meaning while others were simply used to represent japanese grammatical parts or names.

[@plamenovcharov5538]

Irving`s humor is absolut genius

[@joshmann2525]

As a woodworker and resident of a former colony, I offer to refinish the young gentleman’s desk for room, board and two weeks ration of beer (Mesopotamian or otherwise). Such an enjoyable video. Thanks.

[@casadilla111]

The beard, the accent, the name... This man was born for greatness.

[@griseldis]

Ahhhh, Irving Finkel! 💖

[@hvirginia27]

"It's been wobbled by an amateur"🤣😂

[@RedexsAmcc]

More Irvine on any subject. That man is educational gold.

[@Trunks391]

“Diagonal from the Greek word diagonal meaning diagonal” I love this guy😂

[@Witchtheif89]

I think Irving Finkel is one of my favorite people. He has been a wonderful resource while I've been diving into the history and culture of Mesopotamia. He's an excellent teacher.

[@TheDeliciousLegacy]

He is amazing, why doesn't he have his own 600 part BBC series about ancient Mesopotamia I don't know!!!

[@intothewildexplore]

one of the best personality I've ever seen!

[@cryptidian3530]

He's a natural born teacher. I loved every minute of this video.

[@Molop87]

The elbow twist got me. That was a doozy.

[@bryankelly335]

Irving is great .. Always makes these topics interesting , for me at least .. Thanks for making videos for us .. Appreciate yah ..!

[@MartinAhlman]

Hells bells! This is the best one so far! You're wizard, Irving! Compliments from Sweden.

[@shadowfox6438]

I want to engage the bearded guy in a magical duel. I know I'll lose but I must.

[@feldschlange]

that man represents everything i want to be after finishing my studies>.

[@idanzamir7540]

I'm just reading your book on cuneiform! fascinating! Greetings from Megiddo, Israel.

[@ledeliriumdemadameopium5654]

This book is great :D

[@aroseinwinter7719]

I went to Israël and cried when i had to leave..... beautiful

[@rachelhenderson2688]

Didn't you have a major battle there a long, long time ago?

[@rachelhenderson2688]

Megiddo, that is!

[@kaiserk2451]

His teaching and explaining skills are so damn good man... I wish i had a teacher like him.

[@Arshva]

I love this man. One second in and he's already legendary!

[@f33fifofum]

Irving Finkel is one of my favourite humans

[@abdulbasitdalvi3963]

Mr Irving Finkel is like the grand dad I always wished for but never had 😢

[@eveellisen]

Cannot wait! Irving is such a treasure! ❤️

[@cholulahotsauce6166]

You are also a treasure to someone, Emily!

[@myisraeltrails]

Hi Irving, your 1st cousin once removed here. I hope you are well, I find your work fascinating. I will try to come to the museum on my next visit to London.

[@bauhausa6933]

Seeing the beard connection

[@MLD.Ltd.]

Absolutely amazed by ancient wisdoms on creating written form of language spoken, but also the modern scholars who deciphered and learnt to understand and use the long lost language

[@londongael414]

"I don't want you to feel in any way intimidated...or crushed...or humbled...or deflated...or let down...or exposed...or anything that will make you feel really miserable..." Pedagogy at its finest.

[@wenzelplot]

I only watch this for Irving. Should be The British Museum Hosting Sir Irving Finkel, Master of the Ancient Arts.

[@hannve]

Irving is definitely my favorite curator in the british museum

[@RazeAVillage]

Pausing the video 2 seconds in. "I don't know how to write Cuneiform." "Who gives a flying fuck?" That really brightened my day right there. Thanks.

[@iamfishmind]

Irving Finkel is the most charming, lovely, funny man I've ever seen recorded. I love him.

[@SuperTantePeter]

"I know why you can't. It's because it's arranged alphabetically and that is something you never quite got down" :D

[@russelldavies7545]

A superb teacher and a very willing, gentle student. O if only our classes could be like this.

[@marqetteliz]

Irving Finkel, what a treasure!

[@El33G33kGoat]

The guy's a legend, this is what makes youtube so special. Pass on the wisdom to anyone willing to learn.

[@rosiecotton8343]

The world is a better place because Mr. Finkel is in it!

[@annettefournier9655]

Irving is brilliant as usual. So much fun as well.

[@mickeystix]

I really enjoy the dynamics between these two!

[@juliangoodman9000]

I remember my 6th form teacher taught us how to do basic maths in cuneiform. Wildly fun. Thanks for this video. Takes me back.

[@LeuchTheFirst]

julian goodman I was taught that too! Still bad at all forms of math tho 😂

[@imokin86]

The math/physics channel Tibees has a video of both cuneiform math and baking a gingerbread math tablet.

[@AgglomeratiProduzioni]

You can see on the shelf the Royal Game of Ur, which Finkel already played with Tom Scott.

[@annhenry6056]

This gent is so charming! More videos with Irving!! Brilliant!

[@Alyss15Nightingale]

I absolutely adore Irving! I really wish I had a lecturer like him.

[@cosmicnewstoday7421]

I'm trying it using modelling clay, but the clay is too fibrous I think. Have to find some good smooth stuff, like what you fellows are using. Very entertaining! (and informative). Many thanks.

[@jenford7078]

When my son was 4 he read quite well and loved the dictionary. then one day he came to me to show me that there was another alphabet in the dictionary... The Phoenician. For about 6 months he spent his time writing everything in modern English followed by Phoenician.

[@irvingfinkel9816]

When the BM reopens send him to see me! Irving

[@ImmortalInflames]

Love these two characters together, I hope I find more videos with both of them (or more get made!).

[@TheRausing1]

Irving is just great in all these videos. The production is very good too, simple and clear.

[@lovedicedtomatoes9653]

Irving Finkel is the man. Love this dude.

[@MrCantStopTheRobot]

With all these symbols and their contextual meanings, it seems like there's some bleed between hieroglyphs, ideograms, and a proper alphabet.

[@iang1650]

What a great pair of chaps, lovely

[@norrieblackeby1041]

I love this video! Not only entertaining and engaging but informative as well! More of these please!

[@CamillaStahl]

Thank you for a great video! Witty and informative. 😊

[@Paleoman]

Does the museum really have the Rosetta Stone?? The large and small desks are priceless!

[@tomcom7587]

Irving's subtleties and humility are refreshing.

[@JuleahStrickland]

Decided my curiosities cabinet needed a small cuneiform tablet. So glad I found this video! Quite delightful to listen to the banter between the Professor and the the other gentleman.

[@Becca-bm8rt]

Going to the Ashurbanipal exhibition next weekend. I'm super excited :)

[@SuperTantePeter]

"diagonal, from the greek diagonal meaning diagonal." :D

[@TomorrowWeLive]

With a name like Irving Finkel, there's no way he could grow up to be anything other than a delightfully mad professor.

[@VivasPuertorriquenos]

My life, 100 questions, comrade newspaper, BUF

[@galland3496]

Really good and entertaining , well done for this dynamic duo and may Ashurbanipal reward your effort. Thanks

[@StephiSensei26]

Being suckered into learning something as absurd as Cineiform by Irving Finkel, is a delight beyond words. Well, that's convenient, because we don't need words, we got Cuneiform! When someone loves what they profess, the way Irving does, you just have to acquiesce and go with it!

[@gabrielleb74]

Finkel means blacksmith or one that creates sparks, so google says :)

[@alethearia]

Mr. Finkel, you are quite charming and your attitude just brings a smile to my day. I hope I hold onto my enthusiasm as long as you have.

[@jx1659]

I didn't know I needed this video urgently until now - thank you Professor Finkel and the British Museum :)

[@seyeruoynepotsuj]

Er, I've just discovered my favourite youtube video of all time.

[@ralang999]

Yes! Irving is back!

[@elainamercado4801]

Loved this...those 2 really have comedic chemistry

[@Leanansidhe777]

I love your teaching style. As it is said - teach by example.