Deciphering Secrets of Ancient Civilizations, Noah’s Ark, and Flood Myths | Lex Fridman Podcast #487
Irving Finkel is a scholar of ancient languages and a longtime curator at the British Museum, renowned for his expertise in Mesopotamian history and cuneiform writing. He specializes in reading and interpreting cuneiform inscriptions, including tablets from Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, and Assyrian contexts. He became widely known for studying a tablet with a Mesopotamian flood story that predates the biblical Noah narrative, which he presented in his book “The Ark Before Noah” and in a documentary that involved building a circular ark based on the tablet’s technical instructions.
Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep487-sb
See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.
*Transcript:*
https://lexfridman.com/irving-finkel-transcript
*CONTACT LEX:*
*Feedback* – give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey
*AMA* – submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama
*Hiring* – join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring
*Other* – other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact
*EPISODE LINKS:*
Irving’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drirvingfinkel/
The Ark Before Noah (book): https://amzn.to/4j2U0DW
Irving Lectures Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYXwZvOwHjVcFUi9iEqirkXRaCUJdXGha
British Museum Video Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0LQM0SAx603A6p5EJ9DVcESqQReT7QyK
British Museum Website: https://www.britishmuseum.org/
The Great Diary Project: https://thegreatdiaryproject.co.uk/
*SPONSORS:*
To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts:
*Shopify:* Sell stuff online.
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*OUTLINE:*
0:00 – Introduction
0:58 – Origins of human language
7:04 – Cuneiform
14:17 – Controversial theory about Göbekli Tepe
25:29 – How to write and speak Cuneiform
30:48 – Primitive human language
32:31 – Development of writing systems
33:25 – Decipherment of Cuneiform
45:57 – Limits of language
50:56 – Art of translation
56:06 – Gods
1:01:31 – Ghosts
1:11:19 – Ancient flood stories
1:21:26 – Noah’s Ark
1:32:49 – The Royal Game of Ur
1:45:48 – British Museum
1:53:13 – Evolution of human civilization
*PODCAST LINKS:*
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@lexfridman
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep487-sa
See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.
0:00 – Introduction
0:58 – Origins of human language
7:04 – Cuneiform
14:17 – Controversial theory about Göbekli Tepe
25:29 – How to write and speak Cuneiform
30:48 – Primitive human language
32:31 – Development of writing systems
33:25 – Decipherment of Cuneiform
45:57 – Limits of language
50:56 – Art of translation
56:06 – Gods
1:01:31 – Ghosts
1:11:19 – Ancient flood stories
1:21:26 – Noah's Ark
1:32:49 – The Royal Game of Ur
1:45:48 – British Museum
1:53:13 – Evolution of human civilization
Transcript:
https://lexfridman.com/irving-finkel-transcript
CONTACT LEX:
Feedback – give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey
AMA – submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama
Hiring – join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring
Other – other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact
EPISODE LINKS:
Irving's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drirvingfinkel/
The Ark Before Noah (book): https://amzn.to/4j2U0DW
Irving Lectures Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYXwZvOwHjVcFUi9iEqirkXRaCUJdXGha
British Museum Video Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0LQM0SAx603A6p5EJ9DVcESqQReT7QyK
British Museum Website: https://www.britishmuseum.org/
The Great Diary Project: https://thegreatdiaryproject.co.uk/
SPONSORS:
To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts:
Shopify: Sell stuff online.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/shopify-ep487-sa
Miro: Online collaborative whiteboard platform.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/miro-ep487-sa
Chevron: Reliable energy for data centers.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/chevron-ep487-sa
LMNT: Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/lmnt-ep487-sa
AG1: All-in-one daily nutrition drink.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/ag1-ep487-sa
@eqjase
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
PROTECT THIS MAN AT ALL COSTS
@tomrizzo9903
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
Who’s listening to Lex play pretend smart guy. This is so sad people think Lex is something special. It’s pathetic
@davideaston6944
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
Cool … Great listen!
@Vormav777
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
There it is, he said it, games are not a waste of time. I always knew it. Off to play WoW.
@GraeOne_
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
only two hours 🙁
@VoicesofMusic
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
2:02:24
@GraeOne_
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
only love for finkel <3
@ShantVoskerchian
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
I invite you to Armenia! And you will understand here that Sumerian is Armenian.
@elisamaldonado9948
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
Hey ya'll South Philly here 👋 hi… it might be (because I'm baked 💭 🩶 but is LEX STONED😮?? LMAO LOVE ITTTTTT EITHER WAY…he speaks to really interesting humans!! Night night everyone 😴
@zachsfunk491
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
This is probably my favorite interview Lex has done so far, he was so engaging.
@bracourtmetrage
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
English is one of the most basic languages in the world. I am not drunk, I am not tired! Its not who I am! Foda-se!
@MatthewJohnson-b7u
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
Lex go on #killtony
@pedro.almeida
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
1:26:12 it's the myth of the unlikely hero, someone that despite his shortcomings is able to save the world, when seemingly much wiser persons would have failed or not even attempt to do it.
@pedro.almeida
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
1:23:26 and the "escape pod" is with us today, adapted to modern life and technology, but the same tale nonetheless.
@BujArt
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
Puah, that was mind blowing. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us.
@allisbob444
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
Religion is a human construction, instituted for control. I would love to be invited to tell my story on your podcast. I have written a book, "21st Century Jesus." I do not believe in God or Jesus. I have proved in my own experience the reality of God and the lessons of Jesus. I know God and the personage of Jesus. God communicates in ways that humans cannot imagine and has a wonderful sense of humor.
@tzmythos
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
What a pleasure. Dr Finkel is priceless, a delightful fresh breath in the often stuffy world of academic archaeology and its branches. I'll be checking out your other podcasts too. I like your style.
@DemandAlphabetBeBrokenUp
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
I absolutely Love that man. like with all my heart….it is Internet love but it's love.
@DemandAlphabetBeBrokenUp
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
People live on rivers by water…Not remarkable
People keep birds….
It is! Remarkable! Literarily! Wow…The poor clergy….
@DemandAlphabetBeBrokenUp
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
Professor Finkel is a global treasure. He is such a wonderful man. Had he been all our teachers. We'd all be 100x better off. Maybe even 1000x better off. Thank you so much for having him.
@carmenstadler-studer
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
🙏 Thank you very much!!! Horizon widening!!
@galettimusic3837
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
I love Finkel! I had a couple of discussions with him in the BM and on the way home back in London during the PhD years. He's an amazing human being
@hmbseesaw
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
He sounds Aunt even looks a little like Robert Plant but I’d rather listen to Robert Plant. I think he’s more intelligent.
@hmbseesaw
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
A lot of abbreviating hot air here a lot of words to say very little boy
@Seasidecc95437
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
I'm a retired handy-woman & I found Dr. Finkel by accident. I thought I was his biggest fan, but reading the comments has assured me the mans appeal is very broad and wide. He's a Super Star orator , author, educator & very very interesting man. Folks outside academia , how did you find him?
@fgjfgjrtjr
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
Goddamn I love learning!!!!!
@dbptwg
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
15:22 it could be so many things
It could be a child playing with rocks..
@Darkurge666
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
The idea that early humans didn't have language is absurd. Orcas, whales, elephants, dolphins all have the concept of naming and communicating quite advanced concepts. And somehow early humans didn't? It makes no sense at all. I bet humans of all kind (erectus etc) all had language.
@SULEMANABUBAKAR-c6r
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
Great video! Really enjoyed it.
@1badjesus
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
🧑🏻💼The following is a conversation with GOD. Thanks for being here.
🧔🏼♀️ Thanks for having me.
🧑🏻💼Do you prefer God, Almighty, Lord or…?
🧔🏼♀️ What about my first name.. Keith.
@DenzilSmithThinking
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
Its great info, I love Jay. But his singing and ‘funny voices’ in this episode is utterly insufferable. Ive never been farther from laughing in my life
@Napimve
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
Dr. Finkel is such a bright mind.
@MessianicJewJitsu
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
47:40 reminds me of Romans 1
@12bfree4ever4
May 23, 2026 at 8:15 am
I always LOVE Irving Finkle