Explore the fascinating world of cuneiform writing in this 39-minute lecture by Irving Finkel, curator of cuneiform inscriptions at the British Museum. Delve into the origins of this ancient writing system, invented in Mesopotamia around the late fourth millennium BC. Discover how wedge-shaped marks pressed into soft clay with a reed stylus revolutionized human communication and made history possible. Learn about the complexities of cuneiform, including syllable writing and determinatives, and follow the journey of decoding this script through the work of scholars like Indiana Rawlinson and Reverend Edward Hinks. Uncover amazing secrets from over five thousand years ago, including the story behind Noah's ark, as Finkel shares insights from his extensive research and curatorial experience.