Deciphering the Secrets of Mesopotamian Divination | Dr. Irving Finkel

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[@paulapridy6804]

Man I just love being alive at a time when Irving Finkel is sharing with the world. WooHoo! And I'm in it! 😁

[@ArchaeologyNow]

And we're glad we're on this journey together!

[@QUICKSILVER369]

Totallyagreed!!

[@lindseyrunyan1036]

Yesssssss

[@oliviabb73849]

Dr. Irving Finkel ❤❤

[@jonasvaitiekunas2713]

Thats pure gold!

[@authormichellefranklin]

Dr Finkle-- what a treat! Please have him back again!

[@ArchaeologyNow]

We're working on it.

[@Naiemaa]

Irving’s mined must be downloaded digitally don’t ask me how but this magnificent brain that was shaped by decades of diligent and faithful work can not be lost.

[@helennichols6531]

Dr Finkel deserves national formal recognition. Does he have an OBE or something similar?

[@ArchaeologyNow]

NO! We think we need to figure out a way to start a campaign! We are SERIOUS about this!

[@thelilster4286]

It's possible to nominate him for honours on Gov.uk, anyone can do it

[@aariley2]

If you think about it, the environment and feed would affect the livers of all animals. If the liver was fattier a more severe winter, etc or swollen perhaps a rain was coming to destroy crops or make warfare difficult. If you are a certain age your body becomes a barometer! I read persimmon seeds. Those and wooly worms never let me down on predicting winter!

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Hmmm...marketable??!

[@vladtepes9614]

If there's one thing we human beings excel at, it's making connections that don't really exist and treating them as factual.

[@gregd1218]

in the last 2 weeks I've seen so many of Dr Finkel lectures, I'm starting to feel (falsely) comfortable regarding my knowledge about Mesopotamian civilization, which is not something I ever anticipated would happened to me. And I'm delighted. Please, don't stop! And then i realized I've actually watched that video somewhere else few times 😂

[@ArchaeologyNow]

So glad you're exploring this civilization! It's a great ride!

[@rogeradam7391]

Celebrating my birthday with Dr. Irving Finkle! 😊

[@jillflores3076]

happy birthday

[@Northcountry1926]

LOL… My Birthday is today as well - Dr. Finkel, What a Gift to the World he is… Have a Wonderful Bday 🥂🎂🎁

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Now THAT is a birthday! Congratulations!

[@ArchaeologyNow]

@@Northcountry1926 Oh my goodness! Thanks ever so much for your generous donation! And Happy Birthday!

[@disideratum]

Thank you Dr Finkel for translating and sharing this with all of us not just as a scholar but also as a spirited storyteller. Esoteric arts in particular don't seem to be of much use in the academic community but the rest of the world is fascinated by it, myself included! I very much enjoyed his book "First Ghosts" and I hope he might also write books on other "paranormal" topics he's collected from the ancient tablets. Subjects like magic and divination, Cryptids and magical beings similar to Celtic Sidhe or Fae and Offworld Alien/UFO (or whatever they're calling it nowadays) would be exceptionally interesting. Cheers!

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Let's start a request drive!

[@oliviabb73849]

This comment is magic in itself ❤. Will have to check out his books you referenced. Huge fan of Dr. Irving Finkel ❤.

[@Northcountry1926]

Dr. Finkel, and Archaeology Now Thank you for Today 🙏🏼💖🥂

[@ArchaeologyNow]

How lovely. Thank YOU!

[@jenniferrussellstudio]

Ah! This information makes my imagination soar!!!! A huge part of it is Dr. Finkel's descriptions and enthusiasm! Thank you!

[@NefariousKoel]

Living higher up often means less readily available running water & waterways. Perhaps there was a little kernel in that.

[@disideratum]

Also volcanoes....

[@FestinaFirefly]

One also builds on a hill for defensive reasons. This suggests that the region is dangerous. Living in that city will perforce be unpleasant.

[@BB-et8pl]

So much love for Dr Finkel.

[@brandonmass3787]

Thank you, Dr. Finkel, for your respect of ancient cultures.

[@deewesthill1213]

Divination by examining a hairball from a cow's stomach is described in "Huckleberry Finn".

[@WorldWokeApeCult]

Good call!

[@georgiusvasingtonium1943]

Ahh! Dr Irving Finkel, teaches by telling a story, as though one is in his house as a friend, listening to him relate his experiences. A treasure to behold.👑A King in the world of academics, of which there are few. Many could learn from this man how to impart knowledge, alas, unlikely in this age we live. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to Archaeology Now

[@nightowlpete8223]

Always a phenomenal learning experience with Dr. Finkel!

[@laurah1020]

I could listen to Dr. Finkel all day long! Thank you for posting these lectures!!💖

[@ptonpc]

Fantastic to see the Great Irving Finkel again.

[@mcolville]

Thanks!

[@cholulahotsauce6166]

Matthew! I had no idea I'd see you here although I guess I ought not to be surprised! So exciting to find out you're also a Finkel Fan! Excited for the monster book!

[@ArchaeologyNow]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@ArchaeologyNow]

So pleased to see you here. Thank you for your generosity. We're honored!

[@QUICKSILVER369]

Hi again from Michigan, a bit late! Living in a ancient city set on a height would prevent the gravitation flow of good water in and bad water out. This would cause all types of horrible issues, with human waste and disease etc., making living there to "not be good"! Maybe . . . .?? And, to think, I've just read scientific papers explaining that the memory of all of our ancestors is stored in our DNA/RNA! I also called the Greeks the "Liver Lookers"--now I know where that came from. Then there were diviners who would discern the answers by observing the pattern in the movement of loosed birds. Now we are much more civilised, reading tea leaves and palms!

[@ClearlyPixelated]

Yes!! Finkle Time!

[@Hinzmana]

Finkel! Finkel! Finkel!

[@DavidHauka]

Fascinating! Thanks you Dr. Finkle!

[@beckydegraaf6976]

Dr Finkel is the most magnificent story reader of all time!

[@aresaurelian]

This is always a fascinating meeting with the perspective of Dr. Irving Finkel and the ancient world, even leans into the unknown of pre-historic man. Well appreciated and much gratitude for these.

[@deewesthill1213]

Tamil language scholars believe that an archaic form of Tamil was related to Sumerian. There are videos on that subject.

[@clareryan3843]

😁 yay for today😂 Divination in the ole Mesopotamia days - exactly what I need to hear all about 🥰

[@urbannsquirrel]

This guy is exactly how I pictured Dumbledore

[@wicket23P]

I need to be part of an Irving Finkle fan club.

[@leftofright]

The likes of Leonardo da Vinci would have listened intently. I am thrilled and humbled to be in the virtual presence of a truly great man. Thank you, Mr Finkel, for your incredible contributions, in bringing a lost civilization's lifestyle back to light. Absolutely thankful!

[@OPVSNOVVM]

Ancient thinking was symbolic, relied on images that conveyed much denser, layered and subtle information (or even knowledge and wisdom) than a set of explanations could. Images could be understood intuitively without scientific or technical training, it involves the right hemisphere of the brain. Symbolic thinking has its limitations, although far fewer than the algorithms (the domains of the left hemisphere) into which they seemed to have tried to shoe in some of what those images could mean. One must read Dr. Iain McGilchrist, another brilliant Briton who bares the secrets of our brain. Today, however, algorithmic thinking is canon and sacrosanct and symbolic thinking is woo woo stuff. As McGilchrist says: "The left brain can't see what it can't see."

[@Jamie_Pritchard]

Always enjoy a slice of Finkle of an evening. His enthusiasm is infectious 😊

[@sweetykitty4427]

I followed a twitter bot that was someone posting their omen translations every once in a while, and it was quite fun. Lots of stuff that couldn't happen also was noted, like if a baby was born with a tail and stuff it means the king will face adversity and fall

[@ArchaeologyNow]

WOW!

[@Bildgesmythe]

Um, babies can be born with a tail. Google it.

[@casteretpollux]

Babies are often born with tails. The medicall staff usually whip them off straight away. Webbed feet are also common and hermaphrodite are born regularly.

[@sweetykitty4427]

Ok!

[@sweetykitty4427]

@@casteretpollux oh nooo, poor kings then 😭😭

[@oak_meadow9533]

Even as late as 180 Ad, ceremonies in Rome still used augers to read the livers of sacrificial animals. AMAZING😊

[@dmreturns6485]

The study of cause and effect ... one of the uber-basics of our scientific understanding of the world may have started in ancient Mesopotamia.

[@oak_meadow9533]

It is heavenly delight to listen to what you have to say. It reminds me why I took 4 years of Latin in high school 😊😊😊. Also I know you tell these facts with perfect veracity. Thank you.

[@theresasmith8533]

Bless you Sir........ Love your knowledge...wit and passion...thank you x ☓

[@marthavillegas6250]

So interesting! Thank you for this, I just love and respect Dr Finkel.

[@loobly]

I'm so happy to be starting my journey through the world of archaeology while Irving Finkel is still around and willing to share his knowledge, especially in such an accessible way. I hope I can be even a fraction as illustrious once I get my degree

[@JennySimon206]

Oh I love this guy

[@mcolville]

"I never confuse a favorable sign with an unfavorable one." Pretty sure that's a G&S lyric! Patience? Iolanthe?

[@user-eh6th9wj5k]

Irving Finkle is an absolute treasure! Thank you!

[@ScorpionicWoman1313]

Thank you ✨️

[@sheenapearse766]

Marvellous Irving ! I have so much respect now for our Mesopotamian cultural ancestors

[@nadiewn7]

I like Dr. Erving finkle.

[@successmeditations110]

Thank you mister Finkel. A delight as always!

[@francisfischer7620]

What a terrific topic!!! As always, great talk!!!

[@Inkdipper]

Thank you Dr. Finkel! 😀

[@johndutchman]

Thank you, Doctor !

[@StanJan]

Dr.Finley ! THE Curator. It is our Distinct Honor, to attend his reading :)

[@MackerelCat]

Thanks so much Dr Finkel. Fascinating stuff.

[@carabuckley8791]

Such a wonderful teacher 🤍🪽

[@mrwideboy]

I kove the way Irving communicates

[@ewadsworth]

Love it!!! 🙏🏽🎉❤

[@blueharley2]

It's amazing that knowledge has taken so long to evolve. Thank you for the talk, Dr. Finkel.

[@madgepickles]

I just completely fell in love with this man!

[@kellikelli4413]

Omens are warnings. There's a saying about predictions : It's easier to CREATE history than to predict it...

[@richardengelhardt582]

The ancient Chinese also practiced extensively divination using sheep scapulae, turtle carapiced, and some other species. Besides indicating an global intellectual movement of the time that held sway across cultures (which itself is fascinating), there must have been some practical functional purpose or "reality" to these divination practices, given their widespread application over such a long period of time, across wide geographical space, and cross-cultural circumstances.

[@richardengelhardt582]

Perhaps it has to do with the structure of logical syntax, as Prof F suggests.

[@FreedomandRights4US]

Thanks a ton

[@Erkynar]

Tank you kindly for a most interesting lecture. On another note, I am currently reading "The first ghosts" and it is absolutely fantastic as well. Great read and wonderfully informative.

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Glad you are enjoying "The First Ghosts." Hope you have a chance to see the video on this channel that is a companion to the book!

[@Erkynar]

@@ArchaeologyNow That made me get the book! 😊

[@fotolexdancetv]

Dear Irvin Finkel. As always with bigger respect and thanks for all your research! 👏 It would be great appreciated if you could discover and talk interesting topics about Urartian culture and ancient scripts and cuneiform. Thank you! ❤️

[@anastasialudwika]

❤❤❤❤❤ Amazing video!

[@fokkenhotz]

thx Rockstar of Assyriology my hero

[@JM222444]

In science there is a word called "entropy." The concept deals with things that can not be described without the use of incalculable, large number, such as: the number of sand grains on the beach, bladed of grass in a field, or hairs on your head. The concept also claims predictability, similar to that of the Mesopotamian divination (however not remotely as well practiced or usable). They claim that if you let an enthropic "field" evolve with enough time you get solid & tangible information, like a sand castle that appears once in a malinia with enough crashing of the waves. After watching your video I no longer believe enthropic fields could possibly reveal much information to us people. I'm sitting here squinting at the grass outside my window, and thinking there must be something better to read!

[@ArchaeologyNow]

GREAT!

[@AtlantisStarseed8]

Finkel!! Adore this man!!

[@lacey3880]

Please sir Finkel, U have apprentices, I'd hate for ur craft, to b lost.. I learn every time I listen..x Can u teach the old lettering on line... I may finally get it..xx

[@northernhills863]

(22:38) Concerning the sheep v. goat issue, in the interpretation of mash-shu-gid-gid, it might be of interest that even today, the term for the meat of a sheep -- mutton -- may also be used as the term for the meat of a goat, depending on what part of the world one is in.

[@lazarus6125]

Love dr finkel

[@judygreenwood4696]

"Never play cards with a man called Doc. Never eat at a place called Mom's. Never sleep with a woman whose troubles are worse than your own." ― Nelson Algren, A Walk on the Wild Side Prophecy goes on as long as humans exist.

[@MrCoreslash]

Wow just found out about this channel :) very nice indeed

[@plasmaburndeath]

Yay.

[@Za7a7aZ]

This man must be a teasure for the British museum 😊

[@user-lt5dx6rz1l]

That stone was, once upon a time, our map to move into our home

[@kabuti2839]

The essence of the fact of divination, necromancy etc in history can be condensed down to 1 thing; 'equilibrium', as in the cause of such deformity etc, must be the result of imbalance, some where. Therefore, the prescription purports to correct an imbalace in nature/spirit

[@PATTHECATMCD]

Fascinating. It is remarkable how the sheep appears to have been an "unclean" animal to the New Kingdom Egyptians, so I presume they had something different,

[@evelinharmannfan7191]

I find the ammount of data collection and the attempt to draw conclusions from co- occurants impressive. I presume a lot of it was just accidental. But some natural phenomenons are linked to other phenomenons: 👉 think of the El Nino effect, when one thing brings on another (droughts ☀ in some regions, floods ⛈🌧 and landslides in another, dead fish 🐟 in certain regions) 👉less rainfall can increase the percentage of minerals in drinking water (e.g. arsenic in some regions) and have a harmful affect on human and animal pregnancies 👉 a certain climatic condition , or animal pest might weaken your neighbours, but not yourself. For example, if you grow different forms of cattle, one 🐏 🐑☠ falling prey to a disease, the other 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐 is totally immune. 😁 Or if you can expect a good 🌾🌾🌾🌾harvest, but your neighbor 🌱 does not. That would be the perfect time to increase your power by war or by trade. And these "omens" could be connected to certain conditions that are favourable or adverse to certain undertakings. Like the pharao in the story of Joseph who asked for a dream interpreter. He stores harvest from the good years to feed his people through the bad years and increases his power over his hungry neighbours. They probably believed a lot of superstitious nonsense, but if they seriously observed, studied and documented nature for houndreds of years, they must have gotten some things right. We should not discard their believes offhand.

[@jeremygreen3201]

I really like these, thank you, and let us all thank the good lord for Billy Graham.;,

[@leekestner1554]

A shepherd aquaintance of mine had a sheep give birth to triplets and a leg. Not an extra leg attached to lamb. Just rear leg. She posted it online and it went viral. It was even talked about on Coast to Coast. Did they have that in the Prodigies?

[@ArchaeologyNow]

WOA!!! Made it on "Coast to Coast!"

[@casteretpollux]

Butchers dream.

[@thinkbig7195]

They were much clever like today Science.❤

[@yvonnesmith6152]

The Attenborough of ancient Middle Eastern history

[@GhostofJamesMadison]

Clicked on this to go to sleep to and ended up staying for an extra hour totally emthralled lol

[@Lincolnshire-Paranormal]

An excellent video with a crucial question at its heart. It seems to me that your argument that historic seers would never put their reputation on the line is diminished by the fact that the system lasted so long ... why on Earth would any system of divination be so long-lasting if it never provided an accurate answer ?

[@ChelseyK1ng]

The way Dr. Finkel calmly talks about what steaming fresh sheep livers look like.........

[@casteretpollux]

I'm interested in early science, crafts, technical practice, cosmology. Not interested in superstition and religion. I've read about divination in Greece and Rome. Have read that almost all slaughtering of animals was deemed to be 'sacrifice'. And of course the meat was eaten. Our saying of grace before eating appears to be a continuation of this practice. Early scientists could predict some things e.g. eclipses, so no doubt pressure was put on and incentives given to attempt other (impossible) predictions . Very interesting that only the King could request thus.

[@savannahshepherd2283]

I only want to see Dr finkles vids does he have his own channel? I like divination and origins

[@jsphfalcon]

Reminds me of the Phaistos disk except I think the Phaistos disk is for the intestine

[@TheClairegrant]

He had me at hello.

[@eloisahowell2671]

subscribed

[@ArchaeologyNow]

THANK YOU!!!

[@jennifersilves4195]

🙏

[@ancient_Iraqi_Mesopotamian]

Civilizations of Mesopotamia(Iraq)❤️ Babylon, Sumer, Akkad, and Assyria❤️ Arabian Gulf❤️

[@BILLY-px3hw]

It would be cool to make a sheep liver shaped magic 8-Ball, I wonder if it would improve the accuracy

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Hah!

[@larryc835]

💯.

[@whisped8145]

Dr Finkle may not get a knighthood, but I heard there's been another prestigious position open since that Merlin-guy left office.

[@zaenabs266]

We Kurds still build houses on the hills and mountains like our Mesopotamian and Zakrosian ancestors

[@fleischer236]

2nd!!

[@casteretpollux]

A bit quiet, this one. On max volume.

[@ronalddollarhite5216]

Does the great Irving Finkle have any insights to the use of mushrooms for divination?

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Hah! Don't know but will be fascinating to find out.

[@ronalddollarhite5216]

Came across foundation statue of king shulgi with basket over head, gives appearance of mushroom, any connection?

[@williamgorden6390]

Can someone please tell me if Dr. Finkle has written any books on the subjects of his lectures/teaching? I'm sure many viewers would love know! 👳‍♂️➡️🧠➡️🤯

[@ArchaeologyNow]

YES - there are 5 titles for adults and 2 releases for children listed on Amazon! It makes shopping very easy!

[@ketchups2777]

But should we?

[@valerieprice1745]

I love your videos 😍.