Irving’s talk will set the scene with the ancient culture of Iraqi Babylon, and with the help of archaeological objects and cuneiform inscriptions consider also how these ancient peoples managed to enjoy themselves.

Biography

Irving Finkel

Irving works at the British Museum where he is the curator in charge of cuneiform inscriptions on tablets of clay from ancient Mesopotamia. His work involves reading and translating all sorts of inscriptions as well as working on ancient archives to identify manuscripts that belong together, or even join to one another.

Irving also works with children and adults to promote greater familiarity with the ancient Middle East, by means of lectures, workshops and media activity. He specializes in ancient Mesopotamian medicine and magic, and is also interested in literature, religion and the history of ideas in this part of the world.

He is also interested in the history of board games throughout the world, and especially the preservation of traditional board games in many non-western societies.