

Writing and rewriting history
10 snips Feb 17, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Moudhy Al-Rashid, an author and expert on ancient Mesopotamia, delves into the origins of writing and the captivating tales preserved on cuneiform tablets. Historian Tom Holland shares insights from his new translation of Suetonius's vibrant biographies of Roman emperors, highlighting their impact on our understanding of power. Gus Casely-Hayford, director of V&A East, discusses innovative ways museums can engage the public, underscoring the timeless human desire to curate and connect with history.
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Ancient Mesopotamian Museum
- Archaeologists found a room in a palace in Ur with artifacts from different eras.
- A cuneiform tablet revealed it was a museum, showcasing the human desire to preserve history.
Museum Label
- The cuneiform tablet served as a label for an object in the museum, but the object itself was missing.
- This highlights how ancient civilizations valued documenting their history.
Origins of Cuneiform
- Cuneiform, the first known writing system, originated in Mesopotamia around 3350 BCE.
- It evolved from simple drawings and numbers to a complex system capable of representing multiple languages.