Deciphering Secrets of Ancient Civilizations, Noah's Ark, and Flood Myths | Lex Fridman Podcast #487

Summary

This discussion with Irving Finkel explores the origins of writing in ancient Mesopotamia, around 3500 BC, using clay tablets and developing pictographic symbols that eventually represented sounds. The key takeaway is that early Mesopotamians not only invented writing but also lexicography, creating a structured and standardized system that preserved knowledge for millennia.