The First Ghost Stories | Dr. Irving Finkel - Live Events

[@irvingfinkel9816]

The manuscript of the book The First Ghosts is now being read by my Editor!

[@marycjoyce]

Irving, I just discovered your work and I think it's just splendid. Thank you for your teaching, scholarship, and enthusiasm.

[@sugarnads]

Excellennnnt

[@lymangreen5020]

Thank-you for keeping the past alive!! You, sir, have a special magic all your on!!

[@s.l.taylor4057]

...and expect an accompanying audiobook, read by you ( as in the Ark Before Noah) too please....

[@elenafetter9690]

Can hardly wait to read it!!!

[@irvingfinkel9816]

I am very happy to announce the appearance of The First Ghosts; Most Ancient of Legacies, which has just been published by Hodder & Stoughton.

[@ArchaeologyNow]

This can be purchased through Amazon UK

[@traderfairy]

Please upload all your videos on your channel and ensure your draw in your content from all over as well as in into to yourself please!

[@AnnoyedKitten]

Thank you for this wonderful lecture! You are great at teaching!

[@GabrielGtr86]

Dr. Finkel, you are a constant treasure and delight. I am wondering if you have come across plants of the nightshade (Solanaceae) family, in association with these ghosts? Or with Innana (Belladonna, Datura metal, mandrake) 5 pointed flowers of some kind? I would expect these plants to be involved for many reasons but primarily as a use in ritual castration and ritual resurrection, the 'ghosts' could certainly be a byproduct of any usage of 'lady nightshade'. I am also convinced that the Galli priesthood of Attis used belladonna for this purpose. Anyway, I thought I would attempt to inquire to see if you write about this in any of your works. Thank you regardless of any consideration to my question. -Gabriel McGuffey

[@timmcdraw7568]

Just bought it and i can’t wait to start. This was such a wonderful lecture so i know i will love it.

[@Snakkadooby]

I'm a simple man. I see a video featuring Dr. Irving Finkel; I watch it and upvote.

[@ErinsProjects]

"This is a case of gruesome slander" I love Dr Finkel!

[@ArchaeologyNow]

HA! INDEED!!!!

[@Amehana]

This statement made me laugh out loud because it was great hearing someone stand up for him. Just the image of Pazazu hiring a lawyer is something I would love to read a story of.

[@ivechang6720]

I agree with both sentiments.

[@AintImRite]

14:00

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

@@Amehana makes me wonder how much organisation there is with the mesopotamian gods. The chinese ones have a massive one bureaucracy, so Pazuzu might get a lawyer there.

[@hesdeadjim66]

Finkel is a riot, I love watching his lectures! He is informative, educational and humorous! That mix is amazing and I wish more professors and historians were like that, it helps make the history come alive.

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Thank you! We're pretty big fans too!

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Thank you! We're pretty big fans too!

[@iscovidoveryet7828]

I was lucky enough to have two during my high school years in Canada. Both Made history live through their story telling like exuberances. Ohhh. Had I chosen a different path.

[@shanemolloy2824]

Top Man to find yourself sat next to at a dinner party! Sumerians are so fascinating. They invented so much of what we have taken for granted for thousands of years.

[@geoff2027]

He would make a fantastic stand up comic of that i am sure.

[@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164]

Sometimes I hate the Internet, sometimes I love it. If it wasn't for the Internet, most of us would never have heard of Dr Finkel. He's a Pearl in the Pig Trough.

[@dariowned]

He would make the best Dungeon Master for a D&D campaign.

[@brondroid]

Omg yes

[@HG-qo9cx]

...or as a wizard in Harry Potter lol.

[@ArchaeologyNow]

@@HG-qo9cx he supplied some props from the British Museum for the first Harry Potter movie!

[@Madferreiro]

That would be an epic campaign.

[@raychapman1134]

I'd love to be in on that adventure.

[@cakea5461]

Thank you. My favorite human. Profound, brillant, charming, paradigm shifting, hilarious, humble, brilliant, deep, intelligent, wise, warm, inspiring, patient, insightful, brilliant, captivating, such a gift to humanity. A gift to humanity. Thank you.

[@hershmergersh6733]

there's a pure joy in listening and watching someone talk about something they're truly and wholeheartedly in love with

[@ArchaeologyNow]

subscribe! You will subscribe to see passionate people from around the world!

[@HalfQuickFarmer]

He has literally spent his whole life reading ancient texts. Amazing!!

[@joannajamerson35]

Im obssessed with ghosts so I'm excited

[@krisinsaigon]

He’s great isn’t he? I don’t know if you have seen them already but he has made many other videos about cuneiform for the British museum KZbin channel as well and they are a joy to watch as well

[@HalfQuickFarmer]

@@krisinsaigon yes I have been on a rampage of late. He is a joy to watch

[@elocrc12341]

This is probably as close to learning history from Merlin or Gandalf that I'm going to get...wonderful! Thanks for the lessons and keep them coming :)

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Thank you! So glad this has been a meaningful experience. Stay connected!

[@JennifulCreations]

Or Dumbledore! 😊

[@SenorTucano]

Irving Finkel is a National Treasure

[@suzannebennett9808]

Those that know him love him If you don't know him you're really missing out.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Did anyone remember when Mr. Finkle played basketball 🏀 with the Harlem Globetrotters in the early 80's . While on tour in England!

[@mariemelansongundy-vx4ox]

International treasure.

[@danielrowsey7667]

As an archaeologist myself, Dr. Finkel is my spirit animal.

[@ArchaeologyNow]

We consider this highest praise! Thank you!

[@mattimorottaja8445]

why not spirit human?

[@Buggirl66502]

Well, humans are animals!

[@KingM119]

@@mattimorottaja8445 its just something ppl say on the internet bud

[@LeCharles07]

@@KingM119 No sir, I say this irl. Dr. Finkel is my spirit creature.

[@scoutrifle6827]

One of the best things about the WWW is that folks like Dr. Finkel can finally be the rock stars they deserve to be, instead of only being known to a small group of specialists.

[@carolalbersana]

O mighty algorithm, I thank thee for bringing such content upon my life

[@ArchaeologyNow]

EXCELLENT!

[@lindabishop1402]

Absolutely 💯 best comment yet! 👍

[@mmechrizma]

I wish irving finkel had more videos to watch. I love listening to him. So interesting and funny.

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Irving is coming back! Free event June 5 at 3pm. Register using g the popup at archaeologynow.org

[@enyaisrave2831]

♡

[@casteretpollux]

Why does he talk to us as though we were 6 years old?

[@Hollylivengood]

Irving Finkel always makes me really proud of Hyperactivity. Hyperactive children are called a problem - meaning they think too fast for the teachers - as adults, they are called genius - because they always were .

[@idigamstudios7463]

I absolutely adore how offended he gets on behalf of Pazuzu.

[@djokealtena2538]

Slander it is I tell you. Slander!😎

[@abdimojo8794]

@@djokealtena2538 diabolical 😈

[@CharlesSchneiderfilm]

So %10000 agree!!

[@curbhopper66]

he's 100 percent correct

[@idigamstudios7463]

@@curbhopper66 He's right and he should say it.

[@sm0kybluedaze394]

He's just a delightful story teller ❤️

[@skarbuskreska]

Been disabled recently due to illness and can't go out alone. So I'm here watching videos half the day and binge watching Dr. Finkel videos. Seriously, every teacher should have a lecture on how to get your teaching along by observing Dr. Finkel. His style of talking draws you in, the humour helps you forget this is a lecture. His way of ending his sentences in a bit of a less louder voice, makes you instantly listen more carefully, at least it's that way for me and I would love to see an experiment by teachers on their student if that might help in their lectures too.

[@bulkzorage]

Hang in there bud ❤

[@SootSootSootSooty]

Hope you are feeling better 👍 love from Australia 🇦🇺🫶

[@johnrossi8906]

😊

[@christinekulper7824]

I am a High School English teacher in a foreign country and I like your suggestions. I'll try it! It's worth trying anything and everything to get teenagers to participate. 🙄. Thank you and all the best of health to you. ❤

[@1lightheaded]

He also knows what e is talking about He reads and speaks archadian and babalonian. . . His charachter and apearance are affected . He walked out of a Dickens Novel . It is a beautiful presentation ,

[@Strange_Stories73]

I love Irving Finkel. He's awesome. He said "someone needs to sue Hollywood." now that's a passionate person who loves his work.

[@SootSootSootSooty]

That would be Hollywood getting off lightly for its sins.

[@bobstroganof3994]

The fact that the legend that is Irving Finkel only pulls 700 views is exemplary of everything wrong with the modern world.

[@ArchaeologyNow]

We are working to increase the number! However, since this is a brand new channel, it takes some time for people to find us. Glad you liked the video and appreciate Dr. Finkel as much as we do!

[@elgoog-the-third]

@@ArchaeologyNow I just got this video in my recommendations. Subscribed! :)

[@ArchaeologyNow]

@@elgoog-the-third Thank you. Glad to meet you here!

[@wareforcoin5780]

I didn't know he existed until today, and my life is made better by finding this man. I'm very excited to read through all his books, and find all his talks on KZbin that I can find. Edit: oh, and it took me all of 3 minutes to realize I've found a gem of a channel and subscribe. I'm going to binge watch all your videos today, and buy some books later. ☺️

[@ArchaeologyNow]

@@wareforcoin5780 Glad to be a part of your journey! We promise, it will be a rewarding one.

[@SgtCustard]

Amazing to have the first ghosts stories read to you by the author himself.

[@lindamaemullins-wr1jg]

Translator 🤔

[@KelciaMarie1]

Dr. Finkel is honestly a national treasure. One of my great hopes as an aspiring documentary maker is to find an excuse to interview him! Or honestly just chat. Love this man 🥰

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Glad you're a fan. We're huge fans too, obviously!

[@DanHarkless_Halloween_YTPs_etc]

_International_ treasure, surely…

[@resurrectionx5952]

My grandfather came to say last goodbye after he died.In the deep of the night he came to my bed and taped my feet three times, looked at me and it all ended when I horrified started to cry. I was 5 or 6 and been afraid to stick out my feet from under the paplón for decade. It's when I entered puberty and during it I gained courage to face the fear and after that I realised that the touch of the ghost of my grandfather was a blessing which helped me to break out of my shell. Love yourself & others my friends 💜

[@voraciousreader3341]

This is so amazing....Finkel is a perfect example of that well-beloved and ever popular stereotype: the classic English academic eccentric! They are only found in England, born and bred there, and are absolutely chock full of the most amazing, endlessly interesting minutiae! Of course, you have to have a specific turn of mind to fully appreciate them as they ought, the kind which eagerly gobbles up the intellectual crumbs that fall around them as they impart their knowledge to all and sundry. They are so absorbed in the beauty of their own intellectual world that they aren’t even aware of an audience, and certainly don’t need one, so happily are they entertained by their subject of study. Thank God we can enjoy them now on the Internet, without ever having to go to England, or possessing much money, to listen to our collective heart’s content!! Thank YOU, Dr. Finkel, for imparting your knowledge to us, and to YOU, Archaeology Now, for sponsoring and uploading this delightful lecture!

[@Alynnescape]

I feel like a little kid being spoken to by a wizard through a magic mirror. This is great!!! Can't wait to get the book

[@wareforcoin5780]

I can't believe this was almost an hour long. If you asked me, it was only 15, I was so interested the whole way through. This guy is great!

[@ArchaeologyNow]

We're so glad you liked the presentation. Dr. Finkel is an amazing speaker, indeed!

[@millenniumf1138]

If I was a history major, I would hope my classes were taught by someone like Irving Finkel! He makes learning this stuff an absolute joy!

[@ellie_821]

This man is a treasure! He should have his own channel!!

[@Ruby-K]

I learned about cuneiform and the Sumerians from this gentleman.... The cradle of civilisation... after the flood.

[@chilisauceenema4052]

Dr. Finkel is just brilliant. Easily my favourite scholar and and a top tier science communicator. This is how you make people interested in things.

[@ArchaeologyNow]

So glad you liked his presentation. He's one of our favorites too! Hope you subscribe!

[@Badficwriter]

Oh, Dr. Finkel. When I was a child, we had a slumber party. My parents told us gravely that police were investigating some sort of meteor crash nearby, according to the news. As we chattered in sleeping bags, we began hearing odd noises, buzzing. A voice IN THE ROOM SOMEWHERE. As we grew alarmed, stark flashing lights came through the windows, and silhouetted figures lurched toward us. There was a lot of screaming and then my parents began giggling. They had put a walkie talkie under the bed and a strobe light outside the window to pretend aliens had come straight to our house, apparently. My parents were oh so terribly pleased with themselves and my sister was so angry that they messed with her slumber party.

[@IvanaKupala]

Your parents are awesome!!!

[@Arianna-tf5tn]

Fun parents 😂

[@greenbudmano5206]

it's so nice to hear Finkle. He explains the complex topics in a way that makes me feel like a little child listening to stories from my grandpa :) Thank you for this lecture

[@ArchaeologyNow]

So glad you liked the talk. Hope you will subscribe!

[@greenbudmano5206]

@@ArchaeologyNow yes

[@TheInstinctWithinV2]

I love listening to this elderly fellow. It feels like listening to a grandfather who also happens to be a wizard explain to you the origins of magic in the most vivid and expressive way.

[@thomaswilke9126]

He could be Merlin Ambrosious, the Warts teacher.

[@jonwebber607]

You are a National Treasure and should be protected at all costs

[@lindsayheyes925]

😂 I loved the ending. Hey Dr. Finkel... In Herefordshire and South Wales there is a format for ghost stories: The ghost is bothersome - either some hate figure, or someone who was a meddlesome workaholic. Eventually an exorcism is arranged, by 12 priests. The first and youngest preaches and prays, and prays and preaches until exhausted, he falls asleep - and up pops the ghost and devours him. To cut a long story short, the others do the same, and are also devoured. The last, the oldest, most pious, most boring and long-winded preacher does the same, until the ghost can stand it all no longer, and up it pops. "What must I do to get you to stop?" it asks. "Just hop into this sack/snuff box" says the priest". "But when will I get out again?" "When I next break bread". The ghost obliges, being reassured because the priest must break bread three times each day. It is trapped and thrown into a pool, and the old priest starts for home. But soon his exertions take their toll, and he dies... before he can break bread. One of these stories, from Monmouth, is very similar to the Greek tale of Hippolytus. It occurred to me that these ghost stories are incantations for exorcism by the sympathetic magic of a tale about an exorcism. Are any of the Mesopotamian ghost stories about exorcism, and so likely to be exorcistic incantations? When did this type of ghost story framework emerge? I'd welcome your comments.

[@giuseppeaccardo8873]

😅 SIR Irving Finkel number one The best Sumerian scholar in life

[@zensualgreen]

You just have got to love Dr. Irving Finkel. I wish all my teachers had taught like he does.

[@carringtonlefayette8644]

Dear Irving Finkel, You are truly wonderful. Our family are all hooked on your presentations. Australia

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Glad you liked the presentation. Your family might be interested in some of the presentations about animal/human relationships on our channel. Hope you subscribe.

[@tullochgorum6323]

Fabulous lecture as always from the legendary Dr Finkel - but it's worth emphasising that little phrase he uses in his introduction: "the first evidence we have" of the ghost phenomenon. Every pre-literary culture I've ever studied had a concept of ghosts and ancestors. So ghosts as an idea are doubtlessly much older than the Mesopotamians - they were simply the first people who were able to leave a written record of their belief system.

[@bobh9492]

Dr. Finkel you are a treasure.

[@juniorsanchez7441]

Ill listen to Dumbledore telling ghost stories all day everyday!

[@WhiteFyre]

Nah, you have it backwards I reckon. Dumbledore was based on THIS guy! 😂

[@carlzeiss48]

Thank you Dr. Finkel for grabbing me by the neck and taking me back to a seminar room in graduate history 50 years ago. This was an exercise in human history which should not be lost on any one of us. I absorbed every minute of it. The idea of "good and bad spirts" is, as you say, common in human history. In my own family, which name is "Linn" we have something in common. The name is ancient and primitive, and goes back to pre-Christian times in Scotland, where good and evil spirits populated the woods and glens. The good spirits apparently tended to favor waterfalls, or more particularly, the pools at the bottom. The word seems to mean the same in Irish, Welsh, and Scottish Gaelic. So I am hopefully descended from those.

[@mjrchapin]

Did these cultures also experience the phenomenon of helpful ghosts? Ghosts of family members who appear in order to help, warn, or reassure their loved ones? A most entertaining and informative presentation! All the best with your book!

[@Omoroseangel]

In my studies of cultures, yes absolutely, they did include MANY benevolent encounters.

[@scene2much]

So tenderly, affectionately, respectfully, attentively alive to the seeds and roots of the present human condition.

[@daniellethomas3745]

My grandpa passed away a few years ago, and while no one can truly replace Papa, I would like Dr Finkel to be my adopted grandfather.

[@00stobart]

The most interesting and engaging presentations on KZbin - even better than squirrel catapaults and cuddly malamute dogs.

[@ArchaeologyNow]

We can't HEART you enough! Thank you and hope you've subscribed!

[@bloodofthefayth]

The reason we have multiple monitors, is so we can listen, while watching squirrel catapults

[@00stobart]

@@bloodofthefayth Yes I have three specially for this purpose - I'm busy touching up Victorian Rabbis whilst Dr F in talking about Gilgamesh right now : ) Dx

[@ArchaeologyNow]

@@bloodofthefayth BWAHAHAHA!

[@2degucitas]

@@00stobart Do the rabbis mind you touching them up? Seems very personal. And not kosher.

[@OstblockLatina]

Sweet heavens, I could listen to Iring Finkel for eternity. The stories, the way of telling them, the amusing observations - it's perfection.

[@incredibleflameboy]

I love ghost stories. I'm quite the fan of M. R. James so I'm looking forward to hearing even older stories. This Irving finkel chap seems awesome.

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Another James fan here!

[@Fisherer.]

it is very interesting how history can give hints to how the human mind works and help us explain thoughts and problems that we still have to this day

[@2d703]

Stumbled across this gem of an author and his book...Just pre-ordered my copy! Crazily enough it releases tomorrow?! I feel like I was guided to the endless database that is Dr. Finkel himself!

[@huldrrrr9486]

People reacting to ghosts today: terror, screaming, crying People reacting to ghosts back then: "stop annoying me"

[@larapalma3744]

Asian ghosts are like that

[@seedmonchermonchcronch3222]

It's fascinating because imo it is a feature of how normalised it is to see a ghost. I feel like on a subconscious level, much of the fear people experience of seeing a ghost is the fear of possibly experiencing insanity (or forceful disconnection from mundane reality), the fear of experiencing something stressful which no one will believe, no one will help you with, no one knows how to resolve, or in simplicity fear of the unknown and of alienation. I imagine if seeing ghosts was a commonplace thing it would not be nearly as scary since you would know exactly how you can proceed and you could complain to your friends about the annoyance which they could relate to

[@huldrrrr9486]

@@seedmonchermonchcronch3222 That's a very interesting theory, I absolutely see what you mean! I remember a relative of mine lived in a haunted house, and of course at the beginning she was terrified, but as time went on, she got used to the activity and it just kinda became an accepted, if annoying, part of life. It's incredible what the human mind can get used too

[@seedmonchermonchcronch3222]

@@huldrrrr9486 I was very impressed you responded to my reply on a 3 year old comment until I realised that 3 years ago was 2021 which brings the additional question of how do some people manage to remain sceptical about ghosts in an age where time does not work anymore

[@t84t748748t6]

probably depends on the ghost your dead family watching you is anoying but a dead mass murderer trying to push u down the stairs is terror

[@daniellezykowska981]

His humour makes any subject a delight to hear. I also appreciate his openmindedness and choice of subject is awesome!

[@doomed2die595]

I could listen to Dr. Irving everyday all day long.

[@breccamerie1]

What the heck! This is sheer gold! I am so happy that I stumbled on this video. Dr Finkel, please please post more. I've already bookmarked your forthcoming book and can't wait for it's release! Thanks for this upload!

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Irving Finkel returns! Free event June 5th at 3pm. Register using the popup at archaeologynow.org

[@BuuWaterloo]

Thanks to the universe for Dr. Irving Finkel. Holy moly, he's just a joy to listen to. An the jokes makes me laugh aloud. He inspires me to keep learning.

[@krisinsaigon]

The amount of hard work and intelligence is must have taken to crack the code of cuneiform and to translate it into its several languages is astounding, it’s such an incredible intellectual achievement. We are lucky to have people who can do that, and even luckier that he is such an engaging presenter of this

[@charleslord8672]

Mr Finkel is very enjoyable to watch and listen to. Factual, interesting, humorous (to say the least), and confident of the truths he has been researching for decades speaks volumes of his knowledge! 🧐🤯

[@kyesickhead7008]

Why is this so good!? It's like Santa himself is enthusiastically talking to me about one of his infinite hobbies. Doesn't sound like a boring old teacher at all. Everything is so simple and easy to understand. Edit: My "head cannon Santa" is an eldritch mage who decided to keep to himself whilst standing by humanity's side as a beacon of hope. HOME BREWING MATERIAL!!!

[@sevenseven9496]

Listening to this man is such a wonderful treat! Doctor Frankel reminds me so much of Terry Pratchett, in such good ways. The World always needs more of such sweet and lovely old Wizards.

[@freeholdtacticalmed]

Dr. Irving Finkle is an amazing teacher. His expertise and passion are evident. His knowledge is stunning!

[@Jokerwolf666]

I have had a major ghost event when I was in my late teems. Not sure what it was but it happened and I will never forget it. My guess would be beings in connecting planes of existance that can effect us.

[@NasrafRekcos]

It is important that Dr Finkel share his knowledge with the world through youtubevideos, BBC or anything. I need more captivating stories told with the enthusiastic personality of Dr Finkel. Thank you 🙏 Irvin Finkel for your very entertaining stories with proper English pronunciation.

[@alialtuma6106]

This is one of the best and most informative one hour videos I enjoyed on KZbin. The fascinating nature of the subject (for me as born in Iraq) is only matched by the bits of humor that accompanies it. The professor is right! Hollywood should be prosecuted for that slander! And next time I sit with friends, I’m gonna brag very annoyingly about how knowledgeable I am on the topic of first ghost stories.

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Stay tuned! There is more to come!

[@deejayk5939]

I love Irving Finkel! Everything he does is fascinating.

[@clairecar9390]

Love this! It reminds me of the Joseph Campbell interviews I saw as a child, which inspired me to study history. As to the last point, I like to think that we bury our dead in the ground because humans are innately hopeful. We bury people like we bury seeds, hoping for more life. It takes so much care and effort, as opposed to alternative methods of disposal, it seems to me to be an act of love. 💕☮️

[@Musick79]

I’m sure the practice came from sanitary issues and protecting from wild animals. Usually they buried and stacked rocks, or found caves, or built a platform- birds could pick bones clean, or a pyre to release their spirit, but other animals couldn’t scatter the bones. Hebraic practices were to place in cave to let flesh rot. Then the ossuary box after they were just bones, then they wait for resurrection if they were Pharisee/Orthodox.

[@sarahf1296]

I love this lecture. I think this person deserves the best human award.

[@tigergumby]

This is my new favorite video. The first time I watched it was right after a surgery, so you can imagine the dreams I had that went along with it. Even watching it while fully awake, it is my favorite! Thank you for such a treasure!

[@amphiferify]

The world needs more Irv. Bless that silly, brilliant man!

[@novallasuter5265]

Dr. Finkel, I hold your knowledge in great esteem. Your humor is an overwhelming riot. You ,sir,. Are an absolute treasure.

[@eave01]

Thank you, everyone who participated in bringing this information to me.

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Thank YOU! Hope you subscribe!

[@cann1472]

The fact he still thinks The Exorcist is to terribly scary to see is absolutely adorable 🥰🥰🥰

[@peakdelvalle197]

I was also a little sad he didn't like it, it may be Hollywood hogwash but i love that movie

[@mortache]

JUSTICE FOR PAZUZU

[@IntelligenciaX]

I agree, too terribly scary!

[@sarawest7075]

I actually feel the same way!😊

[@jacquelinelc2843]

I’m so pleased to be able to subscribe to a channel with such a fascinating storyteller...the ancient past comes alive through his words and enthusiasm! Lucky us!

[@ArchaeologyNow]

WOW! THANK YOU!!! We're working on some more great content right now!

[@theinspector7882]

What a charming grandpa ❤

[@unrequited8200]

The passion and clarity with which this guy delivers the information he's trying to convey is beautiful

[@einzelganger1561]

He spent his whole life to read, translate and digest all these info then he summarized them in these wonderful lectures and handed them to us, how generous is that! I as a Mesopotamian myself, and enthusiastic about our rich history I can't but to deeply thank Mr. Finkel and the British Museum for taking care of and presenting our precious artifacts and I wish if you lend us some of them the same way you did by lending Cyrus cylinder to iran few years ago.

[@theofficialsoldierthatreviews]

This is great. A great insight into ancient folklore. I love how we are so technologically sophisticated today, but we look back in world history in wonder “How did they do that?” We use ancient Sumerian number systems everyday. The Sumerians broke down time by 60 seconds based on our finger segments.

[@silliaek]

Kudos to whomever was responsible for adding the subtle background music to his talk, adds to the mood.

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Thanks! We have a lot of fun inserting music into these pieces, some of which are musical puns (if you can catch them!) We won't claim to be Shonda Rhimes but we sure admire HER musical cleverness in films!

[@jamesneumann5561]

Sorry, but I found the background music most annoying. It ruined a great lecture.

[@elizabethmcglothlin5406]

I am not a scholar, but I've heard a rumor that modern incantations such as “Abracadabra” might have come down in the same way. Don't know what it means but it seems mysterious, so... and it might means something as mundane as dog-rations. Also I love DR. Finkel with my whole heart!

[@TheEyez187]

Abracadabra is an Aramaic (Hebrew) means "I will create as I speak". Make a bunny appear from a hat, "Abracadabra", a bunny from a hat! J.K. Rowling uses a bastardized version in Harry Potter for the killing curse - "Avadacadava", which I guess you could translate as "I kill as I speak". And yes, Irving is the man!! :D

[@MrArtVein]

@@TheEyez187 where can I learn more about this?

[@TheEyez187]

@@MrArtVein I can't remember where or how I first learnt about it. This article goes in to some detail and has links to other related topics. www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/say-magic-word-origins-abracadabra-and-other-magical-mutterings-008076 Sorry I couldn't be more help!

[@TheEyez187]

@Doo Du They're both from the Semitic language family. But I did it because the exact origin is unknown; no conclusive documented evidence prior to the 4th century CE/AD. The word is theorized to be of Hebrew or Aramaic origin, being derived either from the Hebrew words 'ab' (father), 'ben' (son), and 'ruach hakodesh' (holy spirit), or from an Aramaic saying 'avra kadavra', meaning 'it will be created in my words'. It's also related/close to a Greek word 'Abraxas', which in Greek numerology adds up to 365 - days in a year! Really, just a bit of extra detail

[@JudySnyder-dv5ld]

I love his humor. I've been an amateur researcher of the Cuneiform tablets and ancient cultures in Mesopotamia for years and find Mr. Finkles work and lectures to be fascinating.

[@calinpop97]

Ah I see the interpretation of the "half tablet" changed since 2 years ago... Thanks for posting the video! Always a pleasure to listen to this man and I always get captivated by the subject.

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Thank you. Hope you will subscribe!

[@5Andysalive]

That's science for you. Only priests "know" the unchanging truth. And Conspiracy idiots of course. It's actually quite difficult to find books about these early civilisations, especially Sumer that are not just esoteric alien bullshit. Good people like him exist.

[@bardmadsen6956]

@@5Andysalive - Yes they are, lots of hunting and searching for just the names of the books then hunt and search more for one for sale. There is a list of books on my google site follow the avatar.

[@dawnfowler2194]

Oh my gosh!!!! I just found this channel and I absolutely LOVED this 1st lecture!!!! I wish I could have been your student Mr. Finkle!!!! You are MARVELOUS!!!!!!! Seriously though, I have a B.A. in Historical Archaeology with double minors in both Anthropology and Religion and, ALMOST finished my graduate degree in Forensic Archaeology. I just simply enjoyed this lecture on ghosts and, as I am (trying) to write a history book about Vampires and Vampirism through Human History your lecture and book on Ghosts was extremely interesting to me. Your idea to pu a number of Scientists from numerous differing fields of study in a rambling old suspected haunted house in the English Countryside and have them simply live there recording what they will and see what comes of it is brilliant. I am also a Paranormal Investigator but often feel we may have gotten more evidence in an investigation had we not "investigated" the location. Had we rather just been there and observed all while just going about normal everyday tasks so as make any possible Ghosts feel as normal and routine as can be. I realize this post was from 2 years ago but, if you ever really do get such a plan put together and are looking for Scientists to come along with you to the English Moor and see what may walk in the night - I would LOVE to accompany you!!!! Thank you for your wonderful teaching. You are such an amazing lecturer and made the lesson deeply interesting, pure fun, a touch of the amazing and ultimately educational. I look forward to more! Have a Blessed day! Dawn E. Fowler Addison, MI U.S.A.

[@PeteyCarcass]

What a treasure this man is!

[@ArchaeologyNow]

So glad you enjoyed the piece. Font forget to susbscribe!

[@DirkvanGestelvanGestel]

Welcome back Martin

[@Do-You-See-What-I-See]

This is by far the most entertaining yet factual and informative video I have watched in a very long time. Mr Finkel is a man of true intellect and I now claim him to be my third Grandfather ( I hope you are okay with that papa )

[@themysteriousdomainmoviepalace]

Hi Dr Finkel! I met you at Treadwells in the early 2000s. Everyone gets onto youtube these days. Nice to see you here!

[@dominusdelecti7561]

Just wanted to say I appreciate all your work & passion. I've learned a great deal from your lectures. long live Irving

[@ArchaeologyNow]

Please note that in a few weeks, we will be dropping a BRAND NEW TALK by Irving. Stay tuned to this channel or log on to archaeologynow.org for updates. Appreciate the kind words

[@tigergumby]

It has been over a year since my last comment here. Just had to come back and say that this is one of my favorite videos. I'm both a history buff and a paranormal investigator. This hits all my loves. I'd love to meet Dr. Finkel someday!

[@WillowTDog]

Oh, my! Dr. Finkle is absolutely charming! I'm so glad I came across this video!

[@katz57]

I love it! An anthropology lesson about ghosts and what people did at the time to manipulate them.

[@mrs.marcurio8134]

I love Irving, he is absolutely fabulous!

[@ArchaeologyNow]

We think so too!

[@Rachel_Banner]

I've been researching ancient Mesopotamia and came upon this gem. Dr. Finkel's passion is obvious and infectious. He humanizes these most distant of historical figures and speaks of these ancient practices like he watched them happen himself. I will certainly be checking out more of his work!

[@Goddess-of-Beer]

I wish every lecturer was like him! He is absolutely fantastic. 👏👏

[@giovannisantostasi9615]

In southern Italy the belief that dead people are very important in daily life is still very strong. My mom is from Sicily and she had all sorts of scary ideas and stories about "padruneddi de casa", owners of the house, that basically were our ancestors still living inside the house. She would use this ancient belief to control our behavior, because if we did something naughty they would come and punish us, lol. One particular time it was really terrible because they took away for several days our Christmas gifts under the tree (we were trying to figure out what was inside by touching them and feeling through the gift wrap). We were really good after this and the gifts miraculously came back, lol. I'm a scientist and now I don't believe in this stuff but it was something that influenced me a lot as a child. So it is incredible we still have these beliefs after thousands of years even in our modern society.

[@koezkoez1939]

Please someone give this man a series on anywhere I can watch .He makes you feel like learning anything he knows.

[@ArchaeologyNow]

We think so too! He will be in Houston in June 2022 with several presentations. We will be streaming them and then they will be placed on KZbin. Connect to our website at archaeologynow.org to follow us.

[@lindaj5492]

Professor Finkel should be declared a National Treasure, to stand alongside Sir David Attenborough. I hope he can continue making videos like this for a very long time! He has so much knowledge to impart, and hasn’t had the public exposure he deserves! British Museum & BBC, please get onto it!

[@Shigawire]

I wish Irving Finkel got his own lecture series on The Great Courses Plus. I already learned how to start learning Egyptian Hieroglyphs there thanks to Dr Bob Brier.

[@Rovinman]

Absolutely Wonderful, Irving, Never have I been so frightened and scared. ! I don"t know whether I will sleep tonight ! I can hear the Thunder already rolling. ! I look forward to your next discourse, which I hope will comfort me more. ! Stay Scary. ! Stu xx

[@Paula-133]

Wonderful information. And as always I wish I'd had a professor that even came close to Dr. Finkel's ability to explain ancient history.

[@SHRUGGiExyz]

Ive never heard a better ending to a lecture. Dr. Finkel can and will invite skeptics to a rotting manor to stay the night just so he can haunt them himself. Incredible