You're Dead to Me Cuneiform: the world’s first writing system
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Mar 21, 2025 Dr. Moudhy Al-Rashid, an expert in Mesopotamian history and cuneiform, joins comedian Phil Wang for a humorous and enlightening discussion about the world's oldest writing system. They dive into how cuneiform emerged around 3000 BCE, revealing daily life, epic tales like The Epic of Gilgamesh, and even ancient divination practices. The conversation spans the unique challenges of deciphering these clay tablets and highlights the remarkable evolution of communication, blending history with laughter throughout.
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Cuneiform Origins and Name
- Cuneiform, the oldest known writing system, originated in southern Iraq before 3000 BCE.
- It derives its name from the Latin word "cuneus," meaning wedge, due to the script's characteristic wedge shapes.
Cuneiform's Diverse Usage
- Cuneiform wasn't tied to a single language; various empires used it across Mesopotamia.
- Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Elamites, Hittites, and Persians all used versions of cuneiform.
Rawlinson's Decipherment
- Englishman Henry Rawlinson, working for the British East India Company, deciphered cuneiform.
- He initially focused on royal names and the word "of" in trilingual inscriptions found in Iran.