Thin End of the Wedge Sat, 10 Oct 2026 13:04:37 +0100 http://wedgepod.org en-gb © 2026 Thin End of the Wedge yes 104b8801-2535-5b2b-85ed-30514b0eb4fd Jon Taylor episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) cuneiform, archaeology, history, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Syria Jon Taylor https://storage.buzzsprout.com/9wqpy5wgoua51ti5ch7xrw65yxdm?.jpg Thin End of the Wedge http://wedgepod.org 85. Shana Zaia: The end of empires 85. Shana Zaia: The end of empires How did ancient cultures understand the end of empires? When was the end even considered a possibility, and did they see it coming? When was an end not an end, but a continuity? Shana explores political change through the perspective of the communities who lived through it.

2:09 why the end of empires?
3:41 how to identify the end
5:58 are symbols of office destroyed?
7:48 ends versus natural rhythms
12:50 mythology of end
17:37 do destroyers take on the divine role?
19:14 would people have seen it coming?
24:28 could anyone intervene to prevent disaster?
26:55 what can we learn from ancient ends?
30:21 how much impact would an end have had?

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> How did ancient cultures understand the end of empires? When was the end even considered a possibility, and did they see it coming? When was an end not an end, but a continuity? Shana explores political change through the perspective of the communities who lived through it.

2:09 why the end of empires?
3:41 how to identify the end
5:58 are symbols of office destroyed?
7:48 ends versus natural rhythms
12:50 mythology of end
17:37 do destroyers take on the divine role?
19:14 would people have seen it coming?
24:28 could anyone intervene to prevent disaster?
26:55 what can we learn from ancient ends?
30:21 how much impact would an end have had?

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor, Ellie Bennett, Shana Zaia Buzzsprout-19889655 Sat, 10 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0100 2251 85 full false 84. Gioele Zisa: The plant world 84. Gioele Zisa: The plant world Gioele talks about the PlANET Project (Plants in the Ancient Near East Texts). How do texts and archaeobotanical evidence combine to explain the economic and functional roles of plants? And what symbolic values did they have? To what extent did they play active roles?

3:27  the PlANET project
5:23  what do we know about plants?
7:57  combining sources
11:13  project goals
13:35  attitudes to environmental change
15:18  interdisciplinary
17:30  identifying plants
21:07  environmental humanities
26:15  plants as actors
29:06  gender studies in plant studies
32:59  BioANE project and PlANET project
33:49  analogical thinking
37:43  current research
40:59  favourite plant

PlANET at La Sapienza 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Gioele talks about the PlANET Project (Plants in the Ancient Near East Texts). How do texts and archaeobotanical evidence combine to explain the economic and functional roles of plants? And what symbolic values did they have? To what extent did they play active roles?

3:27  the PlANET project
5:23  what do we know about plants?
7:57  combining sources
11:13  project goals
13:35  attitudes to environmental change
15:18  interdisciplinary
17:30  identifying plants
21:07  environmental humanities
26:15  plants as actors
29:06  gender studies in plant studies
32:59  BioANE project and PlANET project
33:49  analogical thinking
37:43  current research
40:59  favourite plant

PlANET at La Sapienza 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor, Ellie Bennett, Gioele Zisa Buzzsprout-19359885 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 14:00:00 +0100 2706 84 full false 83. David Kertai: The palaces of Assyria 83. David Kertai: The palaces of Assyria David Kertai explains all about Neo-Assyrian palaces. What, and who, would we find there? How did they function? What do their design and decoration tell us about how they were used? How visible was the king? 


David's museum page


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> David Kertai explains all about Neo-Assyrian palaces. What, and who, would we find there? How did they function? What do their design and decoration tell us about how they were used? How visible was the king? 


David's museum page


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-18998626 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 18:00:00 +0100 2260 83 full false 82. IAA prize winners 2025 82. IAA prize winners 2025 International Association for Assyriology awards prizes to early career scholars annually. The for 2025 awards went to: 

Best PhD dissertation in the field of Assyriology and Mesopotamian Archaeology: Adeline Reynaud, for “Les diagrammes mathématiques paléo-babyloniens : catalogue, propriétés matérielles, rôles dans les raisonnements”

Best article in Assyriology and Mesopotamian Archaeology: 

Laureate: Jon Beltz, for “Everyday Magic? Four Sumerian zi…pa₃ Incantations on Amulets,” in Journal of Cuneiform Studies 77: 97-121.

Runner-up: Andrew Pottorf, for “un-il₂ (“Menials”) as a Serflike Social Stratum during the Ur III Period,” Journal of Ancient Near Eastern History 12/1: 83-113. 

Jon and Andrew join us to talk about their prize-winning research. 

2:00 What is a zipa incantation?

2:54 amulets and tablets

3:55 practical magic

5:27 main argument

6:29 structures

8:13 place in research

9:10 what's next

11:42 status groups in Ur III

15:52 state of research

20:52 the "people"

22:30 how to become UN.IL2

26:59 social security?

28:50 place in research

30:43 what's next


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> International Association for Assyriology awards prizes to early career scholars annually. The for 2025 awards went to: 

Best PhD dissertation in the field of Assyriology and Mesopotamian Archaeology: Adeline Reynaud, for “Les diagrammes mathématiques paléo-babyloniens : catalogue, propriétés matérielles, rôles dans les raisonnements”

Best article in Assyriology and Mesopotamian Archaeology: 

Laureate: Jon Beltz, for “Everyday Magic? Four Sumerian zi…pa₃ Incantations on Amulets,” in Journal of Cuneiform Studies 77: 97-121.

Runner-up: Andrew Pottorf, for “un-il₂ (“Menials”) as a Serflike Social Stratum during the Ur III Period,” Journal of Ancient Near Eastern History 12/1: 83-113. 

Jon and Andrew join us to talk about their prize-winning research. 

2:00 What is a zipa incantation?

2:54 amulets and tablets

3:55 practical magic

5:27 main argument

6:29 structures

8:13 place in research

9:10 what's next

11:42 status groups in Ur III

15:52 state of research

20:52 the "people"

22:30 how to become UN.IL2

26:59 social security?

28:50 place in research

30:43 what's next


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-18565593 Wed, 28 Jan 2026 23:00:00 +0000 2147 82 full false 81. Lisa Wilhelmi: Bronze Age Diplomacy 81. Lisa Wilhelmi: Bronze Age Diplomacy Lisa Wilhelmi discusses the international system in the ancient Middlle East. The 14th century BC tablets from Amarna in Egypt, and tablets from the royal archives in Hattusa (Türkiye), reveal diplomatic exchanges between the great powers that ruled the region. What did they want from each other? Who and what moved around, and why?

2:00 what does "international" mean?
3:09 what sources our sources say?
5:22 were the letters preserved or did they just survive?
6:50 what language do they use?
8:37 were they equal partners?
10:34 do resources buy membership of the great powers club?
12:15 how did they talk to each other?
14:35 what messages are they sending each other?
16:38 political theatre?
18:32 how princesses were chosen
19:40 did princesses take part in the correspondence?
20:13 why was cuneiform the method of communication?
23:51 cultural exchange
26:52 lost in translation?

Lisa's university page


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Lisa Wilhelmi discusses the international system in the ancient Middlle East. The 14th century BC tablets from Amarna in Egypt, and tablets from the royal archives in Hattusa (Türkiye), reveal diplomatic exchanges between the great powers that ruled the region. What did they want from each other? Who and what moved around, and why?

2:00 what does "international" mean?
3:09 what sources our sources say?
5:22 were the letters preserved or did they just survive?
6:50 what language do they use?
8:37 were they equal partners?
10:34 do resources buy membership of the great powers club?
12:15 how did they talk to each other?
14:35 what messages are they sending each other?
16:38 political theatre?
18:32 how princesses were chosen
19:40 did princesses take part in the correspondence?
20:13 why was cuneiform the method of communication?
23:51 cultural exchange
26:52 lost in translation?

Lisa's university page


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-18286806 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000 2030 81 full false 80. Ea-nasir: everyone's favourite copper merchant 80. Ea-nasir: everyone's favourite copper merchant Gina Konstantopoulos, Andrew Deloucas, Gabriel Moshenska, and Steven Garfinkle discuss internet favourite, Ea-nasir. What do we know about the Dilmun traders and their role in the supply of copper to the kingdoms of Babylonia? Who were his customers and what did they want his copper for? How did he become famous in the 21st century, and what jokes do people make about him? What possibilities does this offer assyriology?

Andrew Deloucas's university page

Gina Konstantopoulos's university page

Gabriel Moshenska's university page

Steven Garfinkle's university page


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Gina Konstantopoulos, Andrew Deloucas, Gabriel Moshenska, and Steven Garfinkle discuss internet favourite, Ea-nasir. What do we know about the Dilmun traders and their role in the supply of copper to the kingdoms of Babylonia? Who were his customers and what did they want his copper for? How did he become famous in the 21st century, and what jokes do people make about him? What possibilities does this offer assyriology?

Andrew Deloucas's university page

Gina Konstantopoulos's university page

Gabriel Moshenska's university page

Steven Garfinkle's university page


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-18111844 Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 3548 80 full false 79. Rocío Da Riva and Nathan Wasserman: Carnival in Babylon 79. Rocío Da Riva and Nathan Wasserman: Carnival in Babylon Rocío and Nathan take us to Babylon in the Late Babylonian period for a remarkable public ritual. The divine love lyrics are one of the most surprising literary survivals from antiquity. Sarpanitu discovers that Marduk has been sleeping with Ishtar. The two goddesses become embroiled in a very public shouting match, throwing insults at each other. What was this ritual and what did it mean? 

3:56  introduction to the Divine Love Lyrics 
5:42  one text, a series, or something else?
7:20  content in detail
10:45  reading the text
16:55  making sense of the texts
20:29  literary qualities
22:18  whose perspectives?
26:05  the lyrics in Babylonian theology
32:36  was it shocking?
34:29  who was it for?
37:56  what don't we know?
40:15  about the book

Rocío's university page

Rocío's Academia

Rocío's ResearchGate

Nathan's university page

Nathan's Academia

Nathan's personal website

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Rocío and Nathan take us to Babylon in the Late Babylonian period for a remarkable public ritual. The divine love lyrics are one of the most surprising literary survivals from antiquity. Sarpanitu discovers that Marduk has been sleeping with Ishtar. The two goddesses become embroiled in a very public shouting match, throwing insults at each other. What was this ritual and what did it mean? 

3:56  introduction to the Divine Love Lyrics 
5:42  one text, a series, or something else?
7:20  content in detail
10:45  reading the text
16:55  making sense of the texts
20:29  literary qualities
22:18  whose perspectives?
26:05  the lyrics in Babylonian theology
32:36  was it shocking?
34:29  who was it for?
37:56  what don't we know?
40:15  about the book

Rocío's university page

Rocío's Academia

Rocío's ResearchGate

Nathan's university page

Nathan's Academia

Nathan's personal website

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-17799402 Sat, 13 Sep 2025 17:00:00 +0100 2720 full false 78. Mustafa Faraj: The Gates of Nineveh 78. Mustafa Faraj: The Gates of Nineveh Mustafa discusses his project to document the condition of the gates of Nineveh, and to plan the sustainable conservation and management. What do the gates mean to Mosulis? What reconstruction work has taken place, what condition are the gates in now, and what might they look like in the future? 

2:39  the Gates of Nineveh project
4:46  historic reconstructions
5:40  significance
7:19  current condition
9:51  archaeological park
13:45  displaying finds from the gates
16:04  heritage tourism in Mosul
17:07  heritage restoration
21:03  the Banquet Stela of Ashurnasirpal
24:33  where to learn more

Mustafa's Facebook

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Mustafa discusses his project to document the condition of the gates of Nineveh, and to plan the sustainable conservation and management. What do the gates mean to Mosulis? What reconstruction work has taken place, what condition are the gates in now, and what might they look like in the future? 

2:39  the Gates of Nineveh project
4:46  historic reconstructions
5:40  significance
7:19  current condition
9:51  archaeological park
13:45  displaying finds from the gates
16:04  heritage tourism in Mosul
17:07  heritage restoration
21:03  the Banquet Stela of Ashurnasirpal
24:33  where to learn more

Mustafa's Facebook

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-17586622 Thu, 31 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0100 1730 78 full false 77. Augusta McMahon: Excavations at Nippur 77. Augusta McMahon: Excavations at Nippur Augusta talks about the new excavations at Nippur. What are the goals of the new work, and how does she manage the long history of excavations at the site? What are the long term plans for the site? She reveals the first results, including news about the city walls, a huge Neo-Babylonian villa, and a Parthian cemetery. She reflects on how the archaeological situation has changed since she was a student. And she discusses plans for sharing the results of the work.

3:13 why Nippur?
5:26 project goals
8:11 working around previous excavations
12:09 first results
15:39 a Neo-Babylonian villa
19:40 searching for Ur III
22:18 Kassite Nippur
24:06 the dig team
27:14 Neo-Babylonian graves
29:18 challenges
35:19 long term plans
39:11 publication

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Augusta talks about the new excavations at Nippur. What are the goals of the new work, and how does she manage the long history of excavations at the site? What are the long term plans for the site? She reveals the first results, including news about the city walls, a huge Neo-Babylonian villa, and a Parthian cemetery. She reflects on how the archaeological situation has changed since she was a student. And she discusses plans for sharing the results of the work.

3:13 why Nippur?
5:26 project goals
8:11 working around previous excavations
12:09 first results
15:39 a Neo-Babylonian villa
19:40 searching for Ur III
22:18 Kassite Nippur
24:06 the dig team
27:14 Neo-Babylonian graves
29:18 challenges
35:19 long term plans
39:11 publication

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-17327553 Sat, 14 Jun 2025 13:00:00 +0100 2755 77 full false 76. Tina Greenfield: Zooarchaeology in Mesopotamia 76. Tina Greenfield: Zooarchaeology in Mesopotamia Tina explains what animal teeth and bones can tell us about life in ancient Iraq. What did people eat? And what did those animals eat? How were flocks and herds managed? What does this tell us about status and economy? We learn what new strands of evidence are provided by scientific analyses. 

3:12 about zooarchaeology
4:17 state of play
7:33 cow teeth and society
10:35 why the difference between texts and zooarchaeology?
14:43 feeding cattle
19:02 animal movement and management
26:13 how to get this information
32:06 stress in bones
37:15 how to learn

Tina's University page

Tina's laboratory page

Tina's Academia page

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Tina explains what animal teeth and bones can tell us about life in ancient Iraq. What did people eat? And what did those animals eat? How were flocks and herds managed? What does this tell us about status and economy? We learn what new strands of evidence are provided by scientific analyses. 

3:12 about zooarchaeology
4:17 state of play
7:33 cow teeth and society
10:35 why the difference between texts and zooarchaeology?
14:43 feeding cattle
19:02 animal movement and management
26:13 how to get this information
32:06 stress in bones
37:15 how to learn

Tina's University page

Tina's laboratory page

Tina's Academia page

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-17146657 Wed, 14 May 2025 13:00:00 +0100 2723 76 full false 75. Moudhy Al-Rashid: Engaging interest in Mesopotamia 75. Moudhy Al-Rashid: Engaging interest in Mesopotamia Moudhy talks about the different kinds of outreach work she has done. How does she excite interest in material that is very unfamiliar for most people? What works well? She discusses the different audiences and formats, the various approaches and possibilities. 

2:18  why Mesopotamia?
4:45  attracting interest
8:11  overcoming the unfamiliar
11:19  reliable history versus pseudo-history
13:10  radio and podcasts
17:06  scale and detail
19:47  different audiences
22:03  images
23:52  what didn't work
25:55  favourite fact
27:17  new book
33:30  what's next?


Between Two Rivers

Moudhy's Bluesky

On the Spot: Moudhy Al-Rashid Feb 2019

The Stylus is Mightier than the Sword Feb 2020

You're Dead to Me--Cuneiform: the world’s first writing system

You're Dead to Me--The Ancient Babylonians

Writing and rewriting history Feb 2025

The Rest is History  RIHC: Mesopotamian Mythology, Cyrus the Great, and The First Museum


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Moudhy talks about the different kinds of outreach work she has done. How does she excite interest in material that is very unfamiliar for most people? What works well? She discusses the different audiences and formats, the various approaches and possibilities. 

2:18  why Mesopotamia?
4:45  attracting interest
8:11  overcoming the unfamiliar
11:19  reliable history versus pseudo-history
13:10  radio and podcasts
17:06  scale and detail
19:47  different audiences
22:03  images
23:52  what didn't work
25:55  favourite fact
27:17  new book
33:30  what's next?


Between Two Rivers

Moudhy's Bluesky

On the Spot: Moudhy Al-Rashid Feb 2019

The Stylus is Mightier than the Sword Feb 2020

You're Dead to Me--Cuneiform: the world’s first writing system

You're Dead to Me--The Ancient Babylonians

Writing and rewriting history Feb 2025

The Rest is History  RIHC: Mesopotamian Mythology, Cyrus the Great, and The First Museum


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-16874959 Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0100 2256 75 full false 74. Michael Danti and John MacGinnis. Nimrud: post-conflict archaeology in the heartland of Assyria 74. Michael Danti and John MacGinnis. Nimrud: post-conflict archaeology in the heartland of Assyria The Mosul region is the focus of renewed activity by local and foreign teams. Archaeology there inevitably works differently now. Michael and John talk about the Iraq Heritage Stabilization Program, including conservation and reconstruction work, excavation, and capacity building. 

2:34Iraq Heritage Stabilization Program
3:39 Nimrud and Nineveh
8:29why those sites? Who sets the goals?
12:56exhibition and online resources
13:47conservation and reconstruction
18:08long term commitment
20:06the dig team
22:38latest results from Nimrud
31:26kudurru
34:46architectural remains
37:01inscriptions
39:34publication, research, collaboration
42:51working in Mosul region
45:52engaging communities
50:26what's next?

https://www.penn.museum/about/press-room/press-releases/preserving-assyria
https://www.penn.museum/calendar/423/the-deep-dig

Michael's Academia page

John's Academia page


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> The Mosul region is the focus of renewed activity by local and foreign teams. Archaeology there inevitably works differently now. Michael and John talk about the Iraq Heritage Stabilization Program, including conservation and reconstruction work, excavation, and capacity building. 

2:34Iraq Heritage Stabilization Program
3:39 Nimrud and Nineveh
8:29why those sites? Who sets the goals?
12:56exhibition and online resources
13:47conservation and reconstruction
18:08long term commitment
20:06the dig team
22:38latest results from Nimrud
31:26kudurru
34:46architectural remains
37:01inscriptions
39:34publication, research, collaboration
42:51working in Mosul region
45:52engaging communities
50:26what's next?

https://www.penn.museum/about/press-room/press-releases/preserving-assyria
https://www.penn.museum/calendar/423/the-deep-dig

Michael's Academia page

John's Academia page


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-16669705 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:00 +0000 3473 74 full false 73. Zoltán Niederreiter, Erika Roboz: Kingdom of Gods and Demons 73. Zoltán Niederreiter, Erika Roboz: Kingdom of Gods and Demons Zoltán and Erika introduce us to their exhibition about gods and demons. This exhibition, and the extensive catalogue that accompanies it, are major landmarks in Hungarian assyriology. What is it about, how did it become a reality, and what impact will it have?

2:40 the exhibition
8:11 key objects
10:47 why this topic, and why now?
12:56 reaction
15:15 preparing an exhibition
21:19 about the displays
23:19 significance for Hungary
24:52 the museum's own collection
27:45 favourite object

https://www.mfab.hu/exhibitions/kingdom-of-gods-and-demons-mesopotamia-1000-500-bce/

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Zoltán and Erika introduce us to their exhibition about gods and demons. This exhibition, and the extensive catalogue that accompanies it, are major landmarks in Hungarian assyriology. What is it about, how did it become a reality, and what impact will it have?

2:40 the exhibition
8:11 key objects
10:47 why this topic, and why now?
12:56 reaction
15:15 preparing an exhibition
21:19 about the displays
23:19 significance for Hungary
24:52 the museum's own collection
27:45 favourite object

https://www.mfab.hu/exhibitions/kingdom-of-gods-and-demons-mesopotamia-1000-500-bce/

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-16485367 Fri, 24 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000 1993 73 full false 72. Christopher Jones: Court politics in the Neo-Assyrian empire 72. Christopher Jones: Court politics in the Neo-Assyrian empire Christopher discusses new ideas around the murder of King Sennacherib. Who really killed him and why? Was it a coup? Where was Esarhaddon and why wasn't he in Nineveh? [Much of this first section of the episode was published as part of Episode 71.  8:03-10:30 is not found there. And everything from 25:19 is also new] Next he addresses the question of how the kings of this dynasty ran their empire. What does social network analysis reveal about how they coped with information flow? Who was influential and why did that change?

2:09 prize winner
3:09 regicide
8:04 motives for murder
10:21 what's new?
15:21 who was involved?
19:13 a coup
22:24 propaganda
25:20 dissertation
27:54 how the empire functioned
32:30 new power structures
36:16 rise and fall of the scholars
38:38 why reform?
40:42 Ashurbanipal's relationship with scholars(hip)
46:10 where tablets were found
51:56 interpreting palace reliefs

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Christopher discusses new ideas around the murder of King Sennacherib. Who really killed him and why? Was it a coup? Where was Esarhaddon and why wasn't he in Nineveh? [Much of this first section of the episode was published as part of Episode 71.  8:03-10:30 is not found there. And everything from 25:19 is also new] Next he addresses the question of how the kings of this dynasty ran their empire. What does social network analysis reveal about how they coped with information flow? Who was influential and why did that change?

2:09 prize winner
3:09 regicide
8:04 motives for murder
10:21 what's new?
15:21 who was involved?
19:13 a coup
22:24 propaganda
25:20 dissertation
27:54 how the empire functioned
32:30 new power structures
36:16 rise and fall of the scholars
38:38 why reform?
40:42 Ashurbanipal's relationship with scholars(hip)
46:10 where tablets were found
51:56 interpreting palace reliefs

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-16327817 Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000 3381 72 full false 71. 2024 IAA Prize winners 71. 2024 IAA Prize winners  This is a special episode presenting the prize-winning research of three early career scholars: William McGrath, Alessia Pilloni, and Christopher Jones. What prizes did they win, and what was their research about? We hear about the latest news from Isin II period history, astrology in the Late Babylonian period, and a military coup in the Neo-Assyrian period. 

1:24 William McGrath
2:10 dissertation
6:08 key conclusions
9:10 publication plans
10:48 what's next?

13:45 Alessia Pilloni
14:27 horoscopes
20:03 star signs
22:37 two technical terms identified
26:51 wider context

29:10 Christopher Jones
30:45 whodunnit
35:59 new evidence
41:54 purge
45:48 coup theory


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]>  This is a special episode presenting the prize-winning research of three early career scholars: William McGrath, Alessia Pilloni, and Christopher Jones. What prizes did they win, and what was their research about? We hear about the latest news from Isin II period history, astrology in the Late Babylonian period, and a military coup in the Neo-Assyrian period. 

1:24 William McGrath
2:10 dissertation
6:08 key conclusions
9:10 publication plans
10:48 what's next?

13:45 Alessia Pilloni
14:27 horoscopes
20:03 star signs
22:37 two technical terms identified
26:51 wider context

29:10 Christopher Jones
30:45 whodunnit
35:59 new evidence
41:54 purge
45:48 coup theory


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-16129603 Thu, 21 Nov 2024 20:00:00 +0000 3232 71 full false 70. Simo Parpola and the State Archives of Assyria project 70. Simo Parpola and the State Archives of Assyria project This episode was recorded live at the Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale conference held in Helsinki in July 2024. 

Simo Parpola reflects on his long and momentous career. He explains how he became an assyriologist, and how he came to focus on the Assyrians. A key collaboration led to one of the most significant projects in assyriological history. What was it like to study large groups of tablets in the days before bulk digitisation? How did they identify so many joins remotely? Simo then discusses what has brought him satisfaction, and offers advice to younger scholars. He also explains what else he has dedicated his time to.

2:19 why assyriology?
4:38 why study the Assyrians?
7:49 origins of the project
12:24 early digital technology
13:33 joining fragments
17:17 looking back
19:04 dream finds
20:54 reaction to other projects
21:28 finding support for the project
23:32 combining traditional and innovative thinking

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> This episode was recorded live at the Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale conference held in Helsinki in July 2024. 

Simo Parpola reflects on his long and momentous career. He explains how he became an assyriologist, and how he came to focus on the Assyrians. A key collaboration led to one of the most significant projects in assyriological history. What was it like to study large groups of tablets in the days before bulk digitisation? How did they identify so many joins remotely? Simo then discusses what has brought him satisfaction, and offers advice to younger scholars. He also explains what else he has dedicated his time to.

2:19 why assyriology?
4:38 why study the Assyrians?
7:49 origins of the project
12:24 early digital technology
13:33 joining fragments
17:17 looking back
19:04 dream finds
20:54 reaction to other projects
21:28 finding support for the project
23:32 combining traditional and innovative thinking

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-15905610 Fri, 11 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0100 1765 70 full false 69. Carolyne Douché: Carpology in the archaeology of ancient western Asia 69. Carolyne Douché: Carpology in the archaeology of ancient western Asia Carolyne introduces us to the study of ancient plant remains, especially carpology--the study of seeds, fruits, and flowers. In her case study she takes us to the site of Logardan in the Kurdish region, and explains what she could learn from the remains found in kilns. We discuss the role and uses of dung.

2:02 archaeobotany
4:08 how to train
5:09 site of Logardan
6:37 role of archaeobotany
9:47 comparison with results from other fields
12:30 main results from Logardan
14:00 why use dung?
18:28 dung sources and their properties
20:37 plants as evidence for pottery production practices
23:04 where else are you working?
26:18 ideal situation for archaeobotany

Carolyne at Oxford
Carolyne's ResearchGate page
Carolyne's Academia page

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Carolyne introduces us to the study of ancient plant remains, especially carpology--the study of seeds, fruits, and flowers. In her case study she takes us to the site of Logardan in the Kurdish region, and explains what she could learn from the remains found in kilns. We discuss the role and uses of dung.

2:02 archaeobotany
4:08 how to train
5:09 site of Logardan
6:37 role of archaeobotany
9:47 comparison with results from other fields
12:30 main results from Logardan
14:00 why use dung?
18:28 dung sources and their properties
20:37 plants as evidence for pottery production practices
23:04 where else are you working?
26:18 ideal situation for archaeobotany

Carolyne at Oxford
Carolyne's ResearchGate page
Carolyne's Academia page

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-15733991 Wed, 11 Sep 2024 18:00:00 +0100 1979 69 full false 68. Witold Tyborowski: Finding a job during Hammurabi's reign 68. Witold Tyborowski: Finding a job during Hammurabi's reign Witold discusses the labour market under Hammurabi of Babylon. What kind of work could you get, and what would you be paid in exchange? Who would be looking for employment, who would take them on, and who held the balance of power?


1:45 how we know about getting a job
2:54 who are the job seekers?
3:48 how common was it?
4:58 what jobs are there beyond harvest time?
6:17 what kind of people are working?
8:19 how good were conditions?
11:12 different jobs for men and women?
13:03 do workers replace you or work alongside you?
15:22 salary
20:04 about beer
21:03 alcohol content
22:45 balance of power
25:13 challenging rogue employers
26:39 discipline
29:31 child labour
33:45 new book

Witold's university page
Witold's Academia page

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Witold discusses the labour market under Hammurabi of Babylon. What kind of work could you get, and what would you be paid in exchange? Who would be looking for employment, who would take them on, and who held the balance of power?


1:45 how we know about getting a job
2:54 who are the job seekers?
3:48 how common was it?
4:58 what jobs are there beyond harvest time?
6:17 what kind of people are working?
8:19 how good were conditions?
11:12 different jobs for men and women?
13:03 do workers replace you or work alongside you?
15:22 salary
20:04 about beer
21:03 alcohol content
22:45 balance of power
25:13 challenging rogue employers
26:39 discipline
29:31 child labour
33:45 new book

Witold's university page
Witold's Academia page

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-15510734 Fri, 02 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0100 2328 68 full false 67. Amy Gansell: Dressing Assyria's queens 67. Amy Gansell: Dressing Assyria's queens Amy discusses the multi-sensory presence of the queens of Assyria. What was queenly dress and what meaning did each part of it convey? How does the evidence from art compare to what we learn from archaeology? Can we identify personal choice? She also talks about what it's like to wear queenly clothes, and what experimental archaeology can tell us.
 
2:45 sources for textiles
5:13 experimental archaeology
6:37 tombs of the queens
8:35 art versus archaeology
9:50 queenly dress
14:28 symbolism
17:03 individual choice
20:58 burialwear
21:54 craftsmen for the queen
22:44 smell, sound, and other senses
26:40 international dimension
28:39 new book
30:50 beauty standards
34:55 posture
37:41 colours

Amy’s university page
Amy’s Academia page
Amy’s personal website

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Amy discusses the multi-sensory presence of the queens of Assyria. What was queenly dress and what meaning did each part of it convey? How does the evidence from art compare to what we learn from archaeology? Can we identify personal choice? She also talks about what it's like to wear queenly clothes, and what experimental archaeology can tell us.
 
2:45 sources for textiles
5:13 experimental archaeology
6:37 tombs of the queens
8:35 art versus archaeology
9:50 queenly dress
14:28 symbolism
17:03 individual choice
20:58 burialwear
21:54 craftsmen for the queen
22:44 smell, sound, and other senses
26:40 international dimension
28:39 new book
30:50 beauty standards
34:55 posture
37:41 colours

Amy’s university page
Amy’s Academia page
Amy’s personal website

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-15186533 Wed, 05 Jun 2024 19:00:00 +0100 2548 67 full false 66. Rune Rattenborg, Seraina Nett, Gustav Ryberg Smidt: Geomapping Cuneiform 66. Rune Rattenborg, Seraina Nett, Gustav Ryberg Smidt: Geomapping Cuneiform Rune, Seraina, and Gustav discuss their recently completed project on geomapping cuneiform. Where were inscriptions found and where are they now? How many tablets are there? What counts as a tablet anyway? They reveal the challenges of integrating datasets, and explore the potential opened up by knowing where inscriptions really come from.

4:18 GLoW project
7:44 data collection
10:51 how many tablets are there?
13:50 provenance problems
17:06 why 'where' matters
20:50 what distribution tells us
24:20 why this hasn't been done before
27:06 integrating databases
33:56 what can we do now?

GLoW publications

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Rune, Seraina, and Gustav discuss their recently completed project on geomapping cuneiform. Where were inscriptions found and where are they now? How many tablets are there? What counts as a tablet anyway? They reveal the challenges of integrating datasets, and explore the potential opened up by knowing where inscriptions really come from.

4:18 GLoW project
7:44 data collection
10:51 how many tablets are there?
13:50 provenance problems
17:06 why 'where' matters
20:50 what distribution tells us
24:20 why this hasn't been done before
27:06 integrating databases
33:56 what can we do now?

GLoW publications

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-15042147 Fri, 10 May 2024 10:00:00 +0100 2495 66 full false 65. Omar N'Shea: Masculinities in Mesopotamia 65. Omar N'Shea: Masculinities in Mesopotamia Omar discusses the importance of studying gender as part of assyriology. What are the big themes now, and how did we get here? He focuses on two areas of special interest: masculinity, and eunuchism. What can we expect from the conference on gender  studies (GeMANE) hosted in Malta this April? And what is the context of assyriology in Malta?

0:37 Introducing Ellie
2:56 the importance of studying gender
5:39 current trends
8:59 gender beyond only women
11:54 masculinities
16:21 eunuchs
23:58 organising GeMANE
27:15 assyriology in Malta
29:38 public engagement

Omar's Academia
Omar's university page

GeMANE 6

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Omar discusses the importance of studying gender as part of assyriology. What are the big themes now, and how did we get here? He focuses on two areas of special interest: masculinity, and eunuchism. What can we expect from the conference on gender  studies (GeMANE) hosted in Malta this April? And what is the context of assyriology in Malta?

0:37 Introducing Ellie
2:56 the importance of studying gender
5:39 current trends
8:59 gender beyond only women
11:54 masculinities
16:21 eunuchs
23:58 organising GeMANE
27:15 assyriology in Malta
29:38 public engagement

Omar's Academia
Omar's university page

GeMANE 6

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-14715529 Wed, 03 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0100 2166 65 full false 64. Ali Kadhem Ghanem: Managing the site of Ur 64. Ali Kadhem Ghanem: Managing the site of Ur The site of Ur is easily one of the most important in Iraq. In this interview, originally recorded in late 2021, we hear from the person responsible for managing that site. Ali talks about Ur's significance, and its role in local life. What are the plans for the development of this key site?

4:18 introducing Lina
7:02 importance of Ur
7:34 what tourists can see
8:39 information for visitors
9:12 what Ur means to Iraqis
10:15 excavations
11:04 site conservation
11:49 future of tourism
12:19 cultural activities
13:41 the Pope's visit
16:42 future projects
18:10 website for Ur
19:00 how Ali became interested in archaeology
20:14 advice for students now
22:12 reasons for optimism
24:24 closing thoughts

This interview was originally recorded in September 2021, in Arabic. The interview was conducted by Lina Meerchyad and translated into English by her. The text is spoken by her and Terry Birkett.

New website for the site of Ur

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> The site of Ur is easily one of the most important in Iraq. In this interview, originally recorded in late 2021, we hear from the person responsible for managing that site. Ali talks about Ur's significance, and its role in local life. What are the plans for the development of this key site?

4:18 introducing Lina
7:02 importance of Ur
7:34 what tourists can see
8:39 information for visitors
9:12 what Ur means to Iraqis
10:15 excavations
11:04 site conservation
11:49 future of tourism
12:19 cultural activities
13:41 the Pope's visit
16:42 future projects
18:10 website for Ur
19:00 how Ali became interested in archaeology
20:14 advice for students now
22:12 reasons for optimism
24:24 closing thoughts

This interview was originally recorded in September 2021, in Arabic. The interview was conducted by Lina Meerchyad and translated into English by her. The text is spoken by her and Terry Birkett.

New website for the site of Ur

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-14634846 Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0000 1742 64 full false 63: Enrique Jiménez: the electronic Babylonian Library 63: Enrique Jiménez: the electronic Babylonian Library Enrique introduces us to a major new resource in digital assyriology: The electronic Babylonian Library. What does it offer and what are its aims? He discusses the issues facing the field and the potential of digital tools, including AI, to help solve them. To what extent can Babylonian literature be reconstructed now, and what we can do with it?

2:08 what is the eBL?
4:59 how much Babylonian literature do we have?
6:16 the non-literary fragments
10:27 why launch now?
11:50 what's the reaction / impact?
15:05 what's the significance of eBL for your research on literature?
18:14 what happens to eBL when the project funding ends?
19:11 how does eBL relate to other digital resources?
22:02 impact of AI
23:56 long term goals

eBL website

Enrique's university page
Enrique's Academia page


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Enrique introduces us to a major new resource in digital assyriology: The electronic Babylonian Library. What does it offer and what are its aims? He discusses the issues facing the field and the potential of digital tools, including AI, to help solve them. To what extent can Babylonian literature be reconstructed now, and what we can do with it?

2:08 what is the eBL?
4:59 how much Babylonian literature do we have?
6:16 the non-literary fragments
10:27 why launch now?
11:50 what's the reaction / impact?
15:05 what's the significance of eBL for your research on literature?
18:14 what happens to eBL when the project funding ends?
19:11 how does eBL relate to other digital resources?
22:02 impact of AI
23:56 long term goals

eBL website

Enrique's university page
Enrique's Academia page


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-14424357 Sat, 03 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000 1899 63 full false 62. Prize-winning assyriology 62. Prize-winning assyriology At the Rencontre in Leiden this summer, the IAA awarded its annual prizes celebrating the excellence of early career scholars. There were prizes for the best dissertation, best first article, and a research subsidy. I tracked down the prize winners to ask them about their work. 

2:17 Clélia Paladre
2:57 thesis on Iranian glyptic
4:38 the Proto-Elamite phenomenon
6:14 working at the Louvre

7:31 Tomoki Kitazumi
8:29 translating in the Hittite empire
11:45 interpreters in the ancient Near East
13:56 German-Japanese interpreters colloquium

16:26 George Heath-Whyte
17:02 Neo-Babylonian patterns of life
21:05 naming practises project

23:31 Annarita Bonfanti
24:50 Urartian bowls project


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> At the Rencontre in Leiden this summer, the IAA awarded its annual prizes celebrating the excellence of early career scholars. There were prizes for the best dissertation, best first article, and a research subsidy. I tracked down the prize winners to ask them about their work. 

2:17 Clélia Paladre
2:57 thesis on Iranian glyptic
4:38 the Proto-Elamite phenomenon
6:14 working at the Louvre

7:31 Tomoki Kitazumi
8:29 translating in the Hittite empire
11:45 interpreters in the ancient Near East
13:56 German-Japanese interpreters colloquium

16:26 George Heath-Whyte
17:02 Neo-Babylonian patterns of life
21:05 naming practises project

23:31 Annarita Bonfanti
24:50 Urartian bowls project


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-14157960 Tue, 19 Dec 2023 09:00:00 +0000 1855 62 full false 61. Shigeo Yamada: Yasin Tepe: on the margins of empire 61. Shigeo Yamada: Yasin Tepe: on the margins of empire Shigeo shares the results of fieldwork at a site that was once a key city on the edges of the Assyrian empire. How do we know which city it was? He describes the key finds, and interprets their significance. What can we learn from a necklet?

2:22 Yasin Tepe
4:54 goals
6:38 identification as Dur-Ashur
9:12 results
12:44 who lived there?
13:44 inscribed necklet of a slave
18:49 future work
23:20 Tsukuba

Shigeo's Academia
Shigeo's ResearchGate

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Shigeo shares the results of fieldwork at a site that was once a key city on the edges of the Assyrian empire. How do we know which city it was? He describes the key finds, and interprets their significance. What can we learn from a necklet?

2:22 Yasin Tepe
4:54 goals
6:38 identification as Dur-Ashur
9:12 results
12:44 who lived there?
13:44 inscribed necklet of a slave
18:49 future work
23:20 Tsukuba

Shigeo's Academia
Shigeo's ResearchGate

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-13986603 Fri, 17 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000 1673 61 full false 60. Susanne Paulus: Back to School in Babylonia 60. Susanne Paulus: Back to School in Babylonia Susanne pulls back the curtain on how exhibitions are made. She explains how the topic was chosen, and how that vision is translated into reality. How long does it take, how many people are involved, and just what needs to be done?

2:17  about Back to School
3:27  goals
5:37  what's on show?
7:16  star pieces
10:10  recreating an ancient school
11:05  how to display tablets
17:06  why school and why now?
19:10  return to Nippur and the Nippur Tablet Project
23:51  audience testing
25:50  how long it takes
27:37  what does a curator do?
29:33  the wider team
38:40  workshops for children
41:33  souvenirs for the giftshop

Susanne's university page
Susanne's Academia page
Susanne's ResearchGate page

Back to School in Babylonia exhibition
exhibition catalogue
The Adventures of Inanaka and Tuni: Learning to Write in Ancient Babylonia
Augusta McMahon's talk on excavations at Nippur

This special exhibition has been curated by Susanne Paulus, with Marta Díaz Herrera, Jane Gordon, Danielle Levy, Madeline Ouimet, Colton G. Siegmund, and Ryan D. Winters and with support from Pallas Eible Hargro, C Mikhail, Carter Rote, and Sarah M. Ware.

This exhibition has been organized by the ISAC Museum: Susan Allison, Rob Bain, Denise Browning, Laura D’Alessandro, Anne Flannery, Marc Maillot, Helen McDonald, Kiersten Neumann, Josh Tulisiak, and Alison Whyte, with contributions by Erin Bliss and Judy Radovsky.


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Susanne pulls back the curtain on how exhibitions are made. She explains how the topic was chosen, and how that vision is translated into reality. How long does it take, how many people are involved, and just what needs to be done?

2:17  about Back to School
3:27  goals
5:37  what's on show?
7:16  star pieces
10:10  recreating an ancient school
11:05  how to display tablets
17:06  why school and why now?
19:10  return to Nippur and the Nippur Tablet Project
23:51  audience testing
25:50  how long it takes
27:37  what does a curator do?
29:33  the wider team
38:40  workshops for children
41:33  souvenirs for the giftshop

Susanne's university page
Susanne's Academia page
Susanne's ResearchGate page

Back to School in Babylonia exhibition
exhibition catalogue
The Adventures of Inanaka and Tuni: Learning to Write in Ancient Babylonia
Augusta McMahon's talk on excavations at Nippur

This special exhibition has been curated by Susanne Paulus, with Marta Díaz Herrera, Jane Gordon, Danielle Levy, Madeline Ouimet, Colton G. Siegmund, and Ryan D. Winters and with support from Pallas Eible Hargro, C Mikhail, Carter Rote, and Sarah M. Ware.

This exhibition has been organized by the ISAC Museum: Susan Allison, Rob Bain, Denise Browning, Laura D’Alessandro, Anne Flannery, Marc Maillot, Helen McDonald, Kiersten Neumann, Josh Tulisiak, and Alison Whyte, with contributions by Erin Bliss and Judy Radovsky.


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-13761716 Fri, 13 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0100 2779 60 full false 59. Louise Pryke: Ishtar then and now 59. Louise Pryke: Ishtar then and now Louise discusses Ishtar, one of the most enigmatic and fascinating deities of the ancient Middle East. What characteristics were assigned to her, and what stories were told about her? What happened when Ishtar met Gilgamesh? Louise also discusses the reception of Ishtar and Gilgamesh. What do people find interesting about them now? She explains how being based in Australia influences her research.

1:56 how many Ishtars are there?

3:20 male or female?

5:11 Ishtar in myths

7:38 Ishtar as the archetypal or impossible woman 

10:52 Ishtar and the king

12:34 popular reactions to Ishtar

14:03 hot take on Gilgamesh

17:00 Australian context for research

19:08 sharing research widely

20:12 what's popular about assyriology?

23:42 sources for the popular Ishtar

26:13 what's new for you?

Louise's university page
Louise's book on Ishtar
Louise's book on Gilgamesh
Louise's book on Wind
Louise's Academia page
Louise's Instagram: @louloveshistory

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Louise discusses Ishtar, one of the most enigmatic and fascinating deities of the ancient Middle East. What characteristics were assigned to her, and what stories were told about her? What happened when Ishtar met Gilgamesh? Louise also discusses the reception of Ishtar and Gilgamesh. What do people find interesting about them now? She explains how being based in Australia influences her research.

1:56 how many Ishtars are there?

3:20 male or female?

5:11 Ishtar in myths

7:38 Ishtar as the archetypal or impossible woman 

10:52 Ishtar and the king

12:34 popular reactions to Ishtar

14:03 hot take on Gilgamesh

17:00 Australian context for research

19:08 sharing research widely

20:12 what's popular about assyriology?

23:42 sources for the popular Ishtar

26:13 what's new for you?

Louise's university page
Louise's book on Ishtar
Louise's book on Gilgamesh
Louise's book on Wind
Louise's Academia page
Louise's Instagram: @louloveshistory

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-13519108 Thu, 07 Sep 2023 10:00:00 +0100 1821 59 full false 58. Looking back at RAI Leiden: on conferences, and catching up with guests 58. Looking back at RAI Leiden: on conferences, and catching up with guests This special episode is a follow-up on the big annual conference. I offer some thoughts on what happened, and on how things might be in the future. As part of this, I catch up with three colleagues who have appeared as guests. Two were among the very first guests, who kindly helped me start the podcast. It was a leap in the dark for all of us. Since then, there have been a lot of changes for Gina and Jana. The third is a more recent guest, but someone who will shape our experience at next year's conference. Saana offers her thoughts on this year's topic--inequality--and gives us some hints about what we can expect in Helsinki next summer.

2:14 Jon reflects on RAI Leiden
11:02 Gina's thoughts
16:15 Jana's thoughts
25:14 Saana's thoughts

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> This special episode is a follow-up on the big annual conference. I offer some thoughts on what happened, and on how things might be in the future. As part of this, I catch up with three colleagues who have appeared as guests. Two were among the very first guests, who kindly helped me start the podcast. It was a leap in the dark for all of us. Since then, there have been a lot of changes for Gina and Jana. The third is a more recent guest, but someone who will shape our experience at next year's conference. Saana offers her thoughts on this year's topic--inequality--and gives us some hints about what we can expect in Helsinki next summer.

2:14 Jon reflects on RAI Leiden
11:02 Gina's thoughts
16:15 Jana's thoughts
25:14 Saana's thoughts

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-13378650 Thu, 10 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0100 2168 58 full false 57. Looking forward to Leiden 57. Looking forward to Leiden The organising team of RAI 68 Leiden introduce us to what we can expect from the conference. Why did they pick inequality as a topic? And how do they address inequality in the conference design? What role does live-streaming play in a modern Rencontre?

2:03 about RAI 68 Leiden
2:52 what's different?
3:33 childcare support
4:23 why "inequality" as the topic?
5:41 live-streaming papers
9:37 scheduling papers fairly
12:41 building networks
16:39 recognising contributions
17:35 Leiden's RAI tradition
18:44 what else?

RAI 68 homepage

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> The organising team of RAI 68 Leiden introduce us to what we can expect from the conference. Why did they pick inequality as a topic? And how do they address inequality in the conference design? What role does live-streaming play in a modern Rencontre?

2:03 about RAI 68 Leiden
2:52 what's different?
3:33 childcare support
4:23 why "inequality" as the topic?
5:41 live-streaming papers
9:37 scheduling papers fairly
12:41 building networks
16:39 recognising contributions
17:35 Leiden's RAI tradition
18:44 what else?

RAI 68 homepage

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-13228811 Sat, 15 Jul 2023 22:00:00 +0100 1375 57 full false 56. Nicholas Reid: The Big House 56. Nicholas Reid: The Big House Nicholas explains about imprisonment in ancient Iraq. Were there prisons? Who would be confined, how long for, and why? What would someone do in prison? And whose interest did confinement serve?

2:08  confinement in ancient Iraq
5:11  were there prisons?
7:45  why would you be confined?
8:53  for whose benefit?
10:01  the religious dimension
14:11  sources
15:29  life in confinement
18:15  labour in confinement
19:58  could you tell if someone was imprisoned?
21:17  jail terms
23:54  the longer historical picture

Nicholas's Academia page

Nicholas's book on prisons

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Nicholas explains about imprisonment in ancient Iraq. Were there prisons? Who would be confined, how long for, and why? What would someone do in prison? And whose interest did confinement serve?

2:08  confinement in ancient Iraq
5:11  were there prisons?
7:45  why would you be confined?
8:53  for whose benefit?
10:01  the religious dimension
14:11  sources
15:29  life in confinement
18:15  labour in confinement
19:58  could you tell if someone was imprisoned?
21:17  jail terms
23:54  the longer historical picture

Nicholas's Academia page

Nicholas's book on prisons

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Buzzsprout-13119093 Thu, 29 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0100 1853 56 full false 55. Agnès Garcia-Ventura: The historiography of assyriology 55. Agnès Garcia-Ventura: The historiography of assyriology Agnès discusses the history of the field, and why that matters now. Cast collections were an important part of Spain's early interest in ancient Iraq. How did these collections form? Who was interested? What were they interested in? And why? The history of the field has also impacted how we interpret objects, and how we read ancient texts. What lessons does that teach us?

3:16  why study the history of the field?
5:47  what is a cast?
7:39  casts in 19th/20th century
9:38  cast collections in Spain
11:52  Spanish interest in ancient Iraq
14:22  how objects were selected
18:31  different options for different purposes
21:24  impact of historical context
23:13  historiography and gender studies
28:32  impact in textual studies
30:08  opportunities and challenges for us now

Agnès's Academia page
Agnès's university page

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Agnès discusses the history of the field, and why that matters now. Cast collections were an important part of Spain's early interest in ancient Iraq. How did these collections form? Who was interested? What were they interested in? And why? The history of the field has also impacted how we interpret objects, and how we read ancient texts. What lessons does that teach us?

3:16  why study the history of the field?
5:47  what is a cast?
7:39  casts in 19th/20th century
9:38  cast collections in Spain
11:52  Spanish interest in ancient Iraq
14:22  how objects were selected
18:31  different options for different purposes
21:24  impact of historical context
23:13  historiography and gender studies
28:32  impact in textual studies
30:08  opportunities and challenges for us now

Agnès's Academia page
Agnès's university page

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-12917654 Mon, 29 May 2023 09:00:00 +0100 2111 55 full false 54. Eckart Frahm: A new history of Assyria, the world's first empire 54. Eckart Frahm: A new history of Assyria, the world's first empire Eckart has just published a new history of Assyria. What sources can we draw on? How reliable are they? He talks about Assyria's remarkable royal women and how they were remembered. What did the Assyrians achieve and what is their legacy?

3:39 how have we heard of the Assyrians?
6:42 biblical and classical texts as sources
9:36 what do we need to know about Assyria?
12:44 Assyrian royal women
18:33 were the Assyrians really 'cruel'?
23:44 empathy for the Assyrians
25:31 their greatest achievements?
28:03 Assyria's legacy
32:33 Eckart's approach to history writing
35:55 what's new?
39:46 unsolved problems

Eckart's university page
Eckart's Academia

His new book is available
US: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/eckart-frahm/assyria/9781541674400/?lens=basic-books
UK: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/assyria-9781526623812/

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Eckart has just published a new history of Assyria. What sources can we draw on? How reliable are they? He talks about Assyria's remarkable royal women and how they were remembered. What did the Assyrians achieve and what is their legacy?

3:39 how have we heard of the Assyrians?
6:42 biblical and classical texts as sources
9:36 what do we need to know about Assyria?
12:44 Assyrian royal women
18:33 were the Assyrians really 'cruel'?
23:44 empathy for the Assyrians
25:31 their greatest achievements?
28:03 Assyria's legacy
32:33 Eckart's approach to history writing
35:55 what's new?
39:46 unsolved problems

Eckart's university page
Eckart's Academia

His new book is available
US: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/eckart-frahm/assyria/9781541674400/?lens=basic-books
UK: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/assyria-9781526623812/

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-12718417 Wed, 26 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0100 2846 54 full false 53. Parsa Daneshmand: Consensus decision-making in divination 53. Parsa Daneshmand: Consensus decision-making in divination Parsa explains how decision-making took place in ancient Iraq. When you asked the assembly of gods for a yes/no answer to help you solve a difficult problem, how would they agree on what to reply? Why would these answers be time limited? And how would they make their answer visible in the entrails of the sacrificial sheep?

2:35 what is extispicy?
6:25 who used it?
11:17 how long was a divine answer valid?
15:15 consensus decision making
19:28 were all gods equal in voting?
23:07 did gods each vote in their own organ?
25:49 why decide by consensus?
29:49 how much weight did an answer carry?

Parsa's Academia page

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Parsa explains how decision-making took place in ancient Iraq. When you asked the assembly of gods for a yes/no answer to help you solve a difficult problem, how would they agree on what to reply? Why would these answers be time limited? And how would they make their answer visible in the entrails of the sacrificial sheep?

2:35 what is extispicy?
6:25 who used it?
11:17 how long was a divine answer valid?
15:15 consensus decision making
19:28 were all gods equal in voting?
23:07 did gods each vote in their own organ?
25:49 why decide by consensus?
29:49 how much weight did an answer carry?

Parsa's Academia page

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-12547497 Thu, 30 Mar 2023 15:00:00 +0100 2340 53 full false 52. Birgül Öğüt: phytoliths in west Asian archaeology 52. Birgül Öğüt: phytoliths in west Asian archaeology  Birgül explains about her work using microscopic plant remains to understand life in ancient western Asia. What are phytoliths and how do we find them? How can such microscopic evidence tell us about building use, for example? And where do they sit in the archaeological toolkit?

3:12 what are phytoliths?
5:14 sampling method
8:02 dung
11:43 limitations of phytoliths
14:07 from the micro-scale to the big picture
16:59 combination with other methods
20:59 training
26:27 Birgül's projects

Birgül's Academia page

If you would like to donate in support of the earthquake victims, Birgül suggests the following organisations: 

Ahbap: https://ahbap.org/

Akut: https://www.akut.org.tr/en 



Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]>  Birgül explains about her work using microscopic plant remains to understand life in ancient western Asia. What are phytoliths and how do we find them? How can such microscopic evidence tell us about building use, for example? And where do they sit in the archaeological toolkit?

3:12 what are phytoliths?
5:14 sampling method
8:02 dung
11:43 limitations of phytoliths
14:07 from the micro-scale to the big picture
16:59 combination with other methods
20:59 training
26:27 Birgül's projects

Birgül's Academia page

If you would like to donate in support of the earthquake victims, Birgül suggests the following organisations: 

Ahbap: https://ahbap.org/

Akut: https://www.akut.org.tr/en 



Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-12339980 Wed, 01 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000 2344 52 full false 51. Ali al-Juboori: Reflections 51. Ali al-Juboori: Reflections Ali reflects on his long career. How did he become an assyriologist? What are his achievements, and what is his legacy to the next generation? How was his academic career shaped by the twists and turns of political events?

1:56 from school to university
7:14 student life at Mosul
11:12 military service
12:39 research assistant
15:48 time in the UK
25:21 military service again
28:07 opening a department
33:40 promotion
37:55 the ISIL years
42:30 after ISIL, heritage
46:16 retirement

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Ali reflects on his long career. How did he become an assyriologist? What are his achievements, and what is his legacy to the next generation? How was his academic career shaped by the twists and turns of political events?

1:56 from school to university
7:14 student life at Mosul
11:12 military service
12:39 research assistant
15:48 time in the UK
25:21 military service again
28:07 opening a department
33:40 promotion
37:55 the ISIL years
42:30 after ISIL, heritage
46:16 retirement

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-12161391 Thu, 02 Feb 2023 09:00:00 +0000 3231 51 full false 50. Dr Basima Jalil Abed 50. Dr Basima Jalil Abed Dr Basima talks about her new research on a Late Babylonian economic archive from Shatir. She explains about her teaching, and incorporating tablet handling sessions at the Iraq Museum.

2:03 an Achaemenid archive
7:15 confiscated tablets
9:53 locating ancient Shatir
11:39 publication plans
15:00 teaching at Baghdad University
21:06 how did Basima become interested?
23:51 thoughts about the future

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Dr Basima talks about her new research on a Late Babylonian economic archive from Shatir. She explains about her teaching, and incorporating tablet handling sessions at the Iraq Museum.

2:03 an Achaemenid archive
7:15 confiscated tablets
9:53 locating ancient Shatir
11:39 publication plans
15:00 teaching at Baghdad University
21:06 how did Basima become interested?
23:51 thoughts about the future

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-11907171 Wed, 21 Dec 2022 11:00:00 +0000 1711 50 full false 49. George Smith: the man behind the headlines SHORT VERSION 49. George Smith: the man behind the headlines SHORT VERSION 150 years ago, a young George Smith made headlines around the world. He had pieced together an Akkadian version of the Flood story found on fragments of clay tablets. Who was Smith, and why did his discovery have such a dramatic impact? What happened to him next? And what is his legacy?

We're joined by guests Sophus Helle, Gareth Brereton, Strahil Panayotov, and Enrique Jimenez.

2:46Smith finds a marvel
10:24who was Smith?
14:26the fateful 3rd expedition
17:26the mysterious Mr Mathewson
20:58Carchemish and the Hittites
25:50quarantine!
27:44to Aleppo by horse
33:50a tragic end
38:10Mathewson's career
39:35Smith's family and legacy
42:33Smith's notebooks

The sad story of Boscawen can be found in Ruth Horry’s “Assyriology at the Margins. The Case of William St. Chad Boscawen (1855–1913)” in IRAQ 77 (2015) pp. 129-142

You can read more about the Egibit tablets in Strahil V. Panayotov and Cornelia Wunsch, "New Light on George Smith’s Purchase of the Egibi Archive in 1876 from the Nachlass Mathewson", in: Melammu: The Ancient World in an Age of Globalization (2014)

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> 150 years ago, a young George Smith made headlines around the world. He had pieced together an Akkadian version of the Flood story found on fragments of clay tablets. Who was Smith, and why did his discovery have such a dramatic impact? What happened to him next? And what is his legacy?

We're joined by guests Sophus Helle, Gareth Brereton, Strahil Panayotov, and Enrique Jimenez.

2:46Smith finds a marvel
10:24who was Smith?
14:26the fateful 3rd expedition
17:26the mysterious Mr Mathewson
20:58Carchemish and the Hittites
25:50quarantine!
27:44to Aleppo by horse
33:50a tragic end
38:10Mathewson's career
39:35Smith's family and legacy
42:33Smith's notebooks

The sad story of Boscawen can be found in Ruth Horry’s “Assyriology at the Margins. The Case of William St. Chad Boscawen (1855–1913)” in IRAQ 77 (2015) pp. 129-142

You can read more about the Egibit tablets in Strahil V. Panayotov and Cornelia Wunsch, "New Light on George Smith’s Purchase of the Egibi Archive in 1876 from the Nachlass Mathewson", in: Melammu: The Ancient World in an Age of Globalization (2014)

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-11641791 Wed, 09 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000 3004 49 full false 49. George Smith: the man behind the headlines 49. George Smith: the man behind the headlines 150 years ago, a young George Smith made headlines around the world. He had pieced together an Akkadian version of the Flood story found on fragments of clay tablets. Who was Smith, and why did his discovery have such a dramatic impact? What happened to him next? And what is his legacy?

We're joined by guests Sophus Helle, Gareth Brereton, Strahil Panayotov, Enrique Jimenez, Cornelia Wunsch, Mark Weeden, and Pippa Steele.

3:23Smith finds a marvel
13:46who was Smith?
17:06Smith's 1st and 2nd expeditions
22:02the fateful 3rd expedition
27:43the mysterious Mr Mathewson
33:29Carchemish and the Hittites
40:25quarantine!
42:58to Aleppo by horse
51:10a tragic end
56:22Mathewson's career
58:09Smith's family
1:03:10boo, a ghost
1:06:50Smith's notebooks
1:12:55Egibi tablets
1:16:30statue of Kubaba
1:21:29deciphering Cypriote syllabic script

The sad story of Boscawen can be found in Ruth Horry’s “Assyriology at the Margins. The Case of William St. Chad Boscawen (1855–1913)” in IRAQ 77 (2015) pp. 129-142

You can read more about the Egibit tablets in Strahil V. Panayotov and Cornelia Wunsch, "New Light on George Smith’s Purchase of the Egibi Archive in 1876 from the Nachlass Mathewson", in: Melammu: The Ancient World in an Age of Globalization (2014)

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> 150 years ago, a young George Smith made headlines around the world. He had pieced together an Akkadian version of the Flood story found on fragments of clay tablets. Who was Smith, and why did his discovery have such a dramatic impact? What happened to him next? And what is his legacy?

We're joined by guests Sophus Helle, Gareth Brereton, Strahil Panayotov, Enrique Jimenez, Cornelia Wunsch, Mark Weeden, and Pippa Steele.

3:23Smith finds a marvel
13:46who was Smith?
17:06Smith's 1st and 2nd expeditions
22:02the fateful 3rd expedition
27:43the mysterious Mr Mathewson
33:29Carchemish and the Hittites
40:25quarantine!
42:58to Aleppo by horse
51:10a tragic end
56:22Mathewson's career
58:09Smith's family
1:03:10boo, a ghost
1:06:50Smith's notebooks
1:12:55Egibi tablets
1:16:30statue of Kubaba
1:21:29deciphering Cypriote syllabic script

The sad story of Boscawen can be found in Ruth Horry’s “Assyriology at the Margins. The Case of William St. Chad Boscawen (1855–1913)” in IRAQ 77 (2015) pp. 129-142

You can read more about the Egibit tablets in Strahil V. Panayotov and Cornelia Wunsch, "New Light on George Smith’s Purchase of the Egibi Archive in 1876 from the Nachlass Mathewson", in: Melammu: The Ancient World in an Age of Globalization (2014)

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-11641744 Wed, 09 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000 5394 49 full false 48. Amanda Podany: A New History of the Ancient Near East 48. Amanda Podany: A New History of the Ancient Near East How can 3000 years of history, documented by a mountain of sources, be surveyed clearly in a single book? Amanda tells us all about her new history of the ancient Middle East. Why did she use micro-histories? Who among the people in her book made the biggest impacts on her?

3:36 why micro-histories?
7:46 finding the non-elites
11:38 who did Amanda empathise with?
13:22 who did she feels sorry for?
16:56 who made her laugh?
19:40 whose story to tell?
21:43 history from limited data
26:11 writing a synthesis
30:26 why this book?
32:52 the author's hopes

Amanda's Academia page

Amanda's university page

Amanda's new book


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> How can 3000 years of history, documented by a mountain of sources, be surveyed clearly in a single book? Amanda tells us all about her new history of the ancient Middle East. Why did she use micro-histories? Who among the people in her book made the biggest impacts on her?

3:36 why micro-histories?
7:46 finding the non-elites
11:38 who did Amanda empathise with?
13:22 who did she feels sorry for?
16:56 who made her laugh?
19:40 whose story to tell?
21:43 history from limited data
26:11 writing a synthesis
30:26 why this book?
32:52 the author's hopes

Amanda's Academia page

Amanda's university page

Amanda's new book


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-11438923 Wed, 05 Oct 2022 12:00:00 +0100 2358 48 full false 47. Louise Quillien: Textiles from Babylonia 47. Louise Quillien: Textiles from Babylonia Louise introduces us to the fascinating world of Babylonian textiles. How do we know about textiles when almost none survive? What were they made of and what did they look like? Who made them, and who washed them? What would someone's clothing say about them?

2:46 how do we know about textiles?
8:02 what materials were clothes made of?
11:17 how practical was wool as a material to make clothes from?
12:59 who made clothes?
15:45 were clothes plain or decorated?
18:11 what would someone's clothes say about them?
20:43 what clothes would someone have in their cupboard?
22:29 who did the laundry?
27:11 how fine were fabrics?
29:44 what will fabric impressions tell us?

Louise's Academia page
Louise's ResearchGate page

Louise's new book


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Louise introduces us to the fascinating world of Babylonian textiles. How do we know about textiles when almost none survive? What were they made of and what did they look like? Who made them, and who washed them? What would someone's clothing say about them?

2:46 how do we know about textiles?
8:02 what materials were clothes made of?
11:17 how practical was wool as a material to make clothes from?
12:59 who made clothes?
15:45 were clothes plain or decorated?
18:11 what would someone's clothes say about them?
20:43 what clothes would someone have in their cupboard?
22:29 who did the laundry?
27:11 how fine were fabrics?
29:44 what will fabric impressions tell us?

Louise's Academia page
Louise's ResearchGate page

Louise's new book


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Buzzsprout-11249269 Wed, 07 Sep 2022 08:00:00 +0100 2101 47 full false 46. Laerke Recht: The agency of animals 46. Laerke Recht: The agency of animals Laerke talks about animals in a new way, taking us beyond thinking about animals as sources of products. What was their agency? And how did they influence human behaviour?

6:10 equids not just horses
9:50 animal agency
12:59 human-horse-dog relations
15:36 animal behaviours
22:31 potential of animal studies

Laerke's Academia page
Laerke's Twitter
Laerke's website

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Laerke talks about animals in a new way, taking us beyond thinking about animals as sources of products. What was their agency? And how did they influence human behaviour?

6:10 equids not just horses
9:50 animal agency
12:59 human-horse-dog relations
15:36 animal behaviours
22:31 potential of animal studies

Laerke's Academia page
Laerke's Twitter
Laerke's website

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Buzzsprout-11053559 Wed, 03 Aug 2022 09:00:00 +0100 1774 46 full false 45. Victor Klinkenberg: An archaeological approach to tablets 45. Victor Klinkenberg: An archaeological approach to tablets Victor takes a fresh look at tablets as archaeological objects. Where and how are they found, and what does that mean for how we interpret them? Are we reconstructing archives from ancient office bins?

5:28 an archaeological approach to archives
11:01 in situ or rubbish?
15:28 the story of tablets from Tell Sabi Abyad
23:55 the story of tablets from Tell Fekheriye
27:46 history from office bins
35:03 current research

Victor's Academia page: https://ucy.academia.edu/VictorKlinkenberg
Victor's ResearchGate page: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Victor-Klinkenberg

Palloures:
project site: https://palloures.eu/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@palloures

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Victor takes a fresh look at tablets as archaeological objects. Where and how are they found, and what does that mean for how we interpret them? Are we reconstructing archives from ancient office bins?

5:28 an archaeological approach to archives
11:01 in situ or rubbish?
15:28 the story of tablets from Tell Sabi Abyad
23:55 the story of tablets from Tell Fekheriye
27:46 history from office bins
35:03 current research

Victor's Academia page: https://ucy.academia.edu/VictorKlinkenberg
Victor's ResearchGate page: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Victor-Klinkenberg

Palloures:
project site: https://palloures.eu/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@palloures

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-10878919 Mon, 04 Jul 2022 10:00:00 +0100 2363 full false 44. Sophie Cluzan: Votive statues from Mari 44. Sophie Cluzan: Votive statues from Mari Sophie reveals the secrets of the votive statues from Mari. How did people choose to represent themselves, and why did they make those choices? Why are the male statues walking? And what do the markings on some them tell us about the life of the statue?

4:42 votive statues
7:21 Mari votive statues
12:43 what did they look like?
17:45 how do statues work?
22:59 walking statues
33:46 women watching from the sidelines?
35:47 end of life

Sophie's Academia page

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Sophie reveals the secrets of the votive statues from Mari. How did people choose to represent themselves, and why did they make those choices? Why are the male statues walking? And what do the markings on some them tell us about the life of the statue?

4:42 votive statues
7:21 Mari votive statues
12:43 what did they look like?
17:45 how do statues work?
22:59 walking statues
33:46 women watching from the sidelines?
35:47 end of life

Sophie's Academia page

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-10658269 Wed, 25 May 2022 09:00:00 +0100 3021 44 full false 43. Nadia Ait Said-Ghanem: Iraqi antiquities dealers of 19th century 43. Nadia Ait Said-Ghanem: Iraqi antiquities dealers of 19th century Nadia discusses her work on the Iraqi antiquities market of the late 19th and early 20th century. She focuses on two remarkable figures from the trade. Ibrahim Gejou was perhaps the most significant dealer used by European and American collectors. Ferida Antone Shamas is less well-known, but still a fascinating character. Who were they? What was their role in the trade? And what was their motivation?

3:24 the network: Ibrahim, Ferida and Budge
10:51 the letters, and Svoboda's diaries
15:10 Ferida
21:28 Ibrahim
26:09 relations between Ferida and Ibrahim
28:39 Nadia's inspiration

Nadia's blog post, February 2022

Nadia's blog post, May 2022

Nadia's blog post, July 2022

Magali Dessagnes' thesis

Svoboda Diaries Project

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Nadia discusses her work on the Iraqi antiquities market of the late 19th and early 20th century. She focuses on two remarkable figures from the trade. Ibrahim Gejou was perhaps the most significant dealer used by European and American collectors. Ferida Antone Shamas is less well-known, but still a fascinating character. Who were they? What was their role in the trade? And what was their motivation?

3:24 the network: Ibrahim, Ferida and Budge
10:51 the letters, and Svoboda's diaries
15:10 Ferida
21:28 Ibrahim
26:09 relations between Ferida and Ibrahim
28:39 Nadia's inspiration

Nadia's blog post, February 2022

Nadia's blog post, May 2022

Nadia's blog post, July 2022

Magali Dessagnes' thesis

Svoboda Diaries Project

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-10458919 Wed, 20 Apr 2022 08:00:00 +0100 2374 43 full false 42. Julian Edgeworth Reade: Reflections 42. Julian Edgeworth Reade: Reflections Julian looks back over his career. He explains how he developed his interests, and his unusual path into the field. He discusses some key moments: from the excavations at Nimrud, to discoveries in museum collections, and his own excavations at Tell Taya. Who influenced him? What does he think about how things are done? Plus news of his latest work.

3:03 approach to history
5:30 origins of interest
8:25 archaeological experience
13:58 community in Baghdad
17:44 PhD life
20:43 first job
26:26 on the Nimrud excavations
33:25 Tell Taya
37:12 museum discoveries
44:49 displaying Assyrian sculpture

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Julian looks back over his career. He explains how he developed his interests, and his unusual path into the field. He discusses some key moments: from the excavations at Nimrud, to discoveries in museum collections, and his own excavations at Tell Taya. Who influenced him? What does he think about how things are done? Plus news of his latest work.

3:03 approach to history
5:30 origins of interest
8:25 archaeological experience
13:58 community in Baghdad
17:44 PhD life
20:43 first job
26:26 on the Nimrud excavations
33:25 Tell Taya
37:12 museum discoveries
44:49 displaying Assyrian sculpture

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-10296110 Tue, 22 Mar 2022 13:00:00 +0000 3250 42 full false 41. Farouk al-Rawi: reflections 41. Farouk al-Rawi: reflections  Farouk offers his personal story. He describes his family background, his early life, and details of his career. He explains how he became interested in ancient Iraq, and the many people who influenced and helped him develop his career. We learn about life in Iraq during the 20th century, and how political changes affected one man's journey.

3:14 introduction. Rawa
6:33 family background
15:01 interest in history
19:36 after graduation
27:33 early career
34:51 student life
37:40 teachers
41:31 PhD
46:05 return to Iraq
51:17 discovery of the Sippar temple library
58:40 trouble in Baghdad
1:00:05 Suleimaniyah Museum
1:06:02 thoughts about the future

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]>  Farouk offers his personal story. He describes his family background, his early life, and details of his career. He explains how he became interested in ancient Iraq, and the many people who influenced and helped him develop his career. We learn about life in Iraq during the 20th century, and how political changes affected one man's journey.

3:14 introduction. Rawa
6:33 family background
15:01 interest in history
19:36 after graduation
27:33 early career
34:51 student life
37:40 teachers
41:31 PhD
46:05 return to Iraq
51:17 discovery of the Sippar temple library
58:40 trouble in Baghdad
1:00:05 Suleimaniyah Museum
1:06:02 thoughts about the future

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-10030395 Wed, 09 Feb 2022 08:00:00 +0000 4657 41 full false 40. Davide Nadali: Excavating Tell Surghul 40. Davide Nadali: Excavating Tell Surghul Davide recently returned from a season of work at Tell Surghul in southern Iraq. He discusses the site and his team's work there. How did they choose the site and what did they want to achieve there, and what are their results so far? Why is excavation important anyway? He explains what an archaeological team looks like today, what they do, and what happens once the excavations are over. He also offers his thoughts on current discussions around how foreign teams should work in Iraq.

2:53 Tell Surghul
7:13 choosing a site
9:17 project goals
13:25 results so far
16:49 the excavation team
20:07 a typical day
25:47 why excavation?
31:11 conservation/preservation
35:38 making the future better

Davide's university page
Davide's Academia page
Davide's Twitter

The 10-point list of suggestions for decolonising excavations permits

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Davide recently returned from a season of work at Tell Surghul in southern Iraq. He discusses the site and his team's work there. How did they choose the site and what did they want to achieve there, and what are their results so far? Why is excavation important anyway? He explains what an archaeological team looks like today, what they do, and what happens once the excavations are over. He also offers his thoughts on current discussions around how foreign teams should work in Iraq.

2:53 Tell Surghul
7:13 choosing a site
9:17 project goals
13:25 results so far
16:49 the excavation team
20:07 a typical day
25:47 why excavation?
31:11 conservation/preservation
35:38 making the future better

Davide's university page
Davide's Academia page
Davide's Twitter

The 10-point list of suggestions for decolonising excavations permits

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-9720879 Wed, 15 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000 2669 40 full false 39. Saana Svärd: Digital Assyriology in Helsinki 39. Saana Svärd: Digital Assyriology in Helsinki Saana introduces us to the Centre of Excellence in Helsinki. She explains the new tools her team is developing to help us understand the meaning of Akkadian words. How can they help cuneiform specialists? And how can they make cuneiform resources more accessible to other specialists?

3:45 The Centre of Excellence
6:38 team goals
11:44 what digital Akkadian tools can do
19:50 why two tools?
23:23 sources and consequences
26:29 what might the future hold?

ANEE: https://researchportal.helsinki.fi/en/projects/centre-of-excellence-in-ancient-near-eastern-empires

Saana's university page

Fear in Akkadian pdf

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod 
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod



]]> Saana introduces us to the Centre of Excellence in Helsinki. She explains the new tools her team is developing to help us understand the meaning of Akkadian words. How can they help cuneiform specialists? And how can they make cuneiform resources more accessible to other specialists?

3:45 The Centre of Excellence
6:38 team goals
11:44 what digital Akkadian tools can do
19:50 why two tools?
23:23 sources and consequences
26:29 what might the future hold?

ANEE: https://researchportal.helsinki.fi/en/projects/centre-of-excellence-in-ancient-near-eastern-empires

Saana's university page

Fear in Akkadian pdf

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod 
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod



]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-9635814 Wed, 01 Dec 2021 09:00:00 +0000 2073 39 full false 38. Tonia Sharlach: The power behind the throne 38. Tonia Sharlach: The power behind the throne History isn't just about great men. Tonia introduces us to the complicated family life of King Shulgi. Who were his wives? Did they live in a 'harem'? How did he control his empire while managing the ambitions of his many sons?

2:43 the Ur III period and king Shulgi
5:47 Shulgi's family
9:19 Shulgi's children
13:01 Shulgi's motivation
14:37 the 'harem'
17:47 the court
21:35 agency of the wives
25:56 impact of Shulgi becoming a god
27:32 royal deaths
 
Tonia's university page

Tonia's Academia page

Tonia's email: tonia.sharlach [at] okstate.edu


Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> History isn't just about great men. Tonia introduces us to the complicated family life of King Shulgi. Who were his wives? Did they live in a 'harem'? How did he control his empire while managing the ambitions of his many sons?

2:43 the Ur III period and king Shulgi
5:47 Shulgi's family
9:19 Shulgi's children
13:01 Shulgi's motivation
14:37 the 'harem'
17:47 the court
21:35 agency of the wives
25:56 impact of Shulgi becoming a god
27:32 royal deaths
 
Tonia's university page

Tonia's Academia page

Tonia's email: tonia.sharlach [at] okstate.edu


Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-9553843 Wed, 17 Nov 2021 10:00:00 +0000 2150 38 full false 37. Tim Clayden: The Kassites 37. Tim Clayden: The Kassites Tim introduces us to a dynasty that ruled over Babylonia during one of the periods of its greatest influence. Where did they come from? What were their achievements? And what is their legacy? 

2:29 who were the Kassites?
4:57 where did they come from?
9:20 Kassite achievements
18:04 characteristic Kassite material culture
23:13 where to see Kassite objects
24:57 where to find out more
28:49 Tim's own research

Tim's Academia page


Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Tim introduces us to a dynasty that ruled over Babylonia during one of the periods of its greatest influence. Where did they come from? What were their achievements? And what is their legacy? 

2:29 who were the Kassites?
4:57 where did they come from?
9:20 Kassite achievements
18:04 characteristic Kassite material culture
23:13 where to see Kassite objects
24:57 where to find out more
28:49 Tim's own research

Tim's Academia page


Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-9475408 Wed, 03 Nov 2021 08:00:00 +0000 2044 37 full false 36. Amir al-Zubaidi: Nasiriyah Museum, and engaging Iraqi audiences 36. Amir al-Zubaidi: Nasiriyah Museum, and engaging Iraqi audiences Amir al-Zubaidi is Director of Nasiriyah Museum, and now SBAH Director of Archaeology for Dhi Qar province. He introduces us to Nasiriyah Museum, and discusses both his achievements so far and his dreams for the future. What interests the people of Nasiriyah, and what role does heritage play in civic life there? 

This is the first in an experimental mini-series where we hear the thoughts of colleagues who are doing important work in Iraq. Yet while their work may be well known in Iraq itself, few in the UK or the wider western world know anything about it. This may be partly because of the nature of the specialist’s position, or the low level of Arabic language skills in the west. 

With the help of interpreter Zainab Mizyidawi, Amir was interviewed in Arabic and the results have been translated into English. This episode was made possible through the generous support of the London Centre for the Ancient Near East. 

4:31 Nasiriyah Museum
9:39 visitors
11:42 audience engagement
15:55 goals
19:59 what interests people
21:07 role of heritage in Nasiriyah 
23:20 role of foreign teams
24:40 life as director of archaeology 
29:49 priorities and challenges
30:55 hopes


Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Amir al-Zubaidi is Director of Nasiriyah Museum, and now SBAH Director of Archaeology for Dhi Qar province. He introduces us to Nasiriyah Museum, and discusses both his achievements so far and his dreams for the future. What interests the people of Nasiriyah, and what role does heritage play in civic life there? 

This is the first in an experimental mini-series where we hear the thoughts of colleagues who are doing important work in Iraq. Yet while their work may be well known in Iraq itself, few in the UK or the wider western world know anything about it. This may be partly because of the nature of the specialist’s position, or the low level of Arabic language skills in the west. 

With the help of interpreter Zainab Mizyidawi, Amir was interviewed in Arabic and the results have been translated into English. This episode was made possible through the generous support of the London Centre for the Ancient Near East. 

4:31 Nasiriyah Museum
9:39 visitors
11:42 audience engagement
15:55 goals
19:59 what interests people
21:07 role of heritage in Nasiriyah 
23:20 role of foreign teams
24:40 life as director of archaeology 
29:49 priorities and challenges
30:55 hopes


Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-9397605 Wed, 20 Oct 2021 08:00:00 +0100 2113 36 full false 35. Małgorzata Sandowicz: Law and order in Babylonia 35. Małgorzata Sandowicz: Law and order in Babylonia The abundance of records from Babylonia between the 6th and the 4th century BC shows us how justice functioned. Why was the trial process so intimidating? How could you avoid it? And what happened if you couldn't?

3:05 how we know
5:01 where crime happened
7:58 motives
9:35 white collar crime
11:01 law enforcement
15:53 trials
18:07 judges
22:28 where courts met
23:49 access to justice
26:01 trials
32:38 torture
34:29 an eye for an eye?

Małgorzata 's Academia page
Małgorzata's ResearchGate page
Małgorzata's book at Zaphon press

Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> The abundance of records from Babylonia between the 6th and the 4th century BC shows us how justice functioned. Why was the trial process so intimidating? How could you avoid it? And what happened if you couldn't?

3:05 how we know
5:01 where crime happened
7:58 motives
9:35 white collar crime
11:01 law enforcement
15:53 trials
18:07 judges
22:28 where courts met
23:49 access to justice
26:01 trials
32:38 torture
34:29 an eye for an eye?

Małgorzata 's Academia page
Małgorzata's ResearchGate page
Małgorzata's book at Zaphon press

Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-9317643 Wed, 06 Oct 2021 08:00:00 +0100 2452 35 full false 34. Tiffany Earley-Spadoni: Urartu and digital public engagement 34. Tiffany Earley-Spadoni: Urartu and digital public engagement Tiffany introduces us to Urartu, Assyria's great neighbour and rival. What can we learn from its network of fortresses? And how can deep maps and digital storytelling help us engage people with our work?

3:48 Urartu and the Urartians
9:36 Vayots Dzor Fortress Landscapes Project 
12:56 the fortress network
15:16 fire beacon stations
18:42 digital storytelling
20:50 deep maps
23:16 community engagement


Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Tiffany introduces us to Urartu, Assyria's great neighbour and rival. What can we learn from its network of fortresses? And how can deep maps and digital storytelling help us engage people with our work?

3:48 Urartu and the Urartians
9:36 Vayots Dzor Fortress Landscapes Project 
12:56 the fortress network
15:16 fire beacon stations
18:42 digital storytelling
20:50 deep maps
23:16 community engagement


Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-9236451 Wed, 22 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0100 1926 34 full false 33. How did we get here? 33. How did we get here? It's back to school season. So it's story time. In this special episode, we hear the stories of how our guests became interested in the ancient Middle East.


Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod
  

]]> It's back to school season. So it's story time. In this special episode, we hear the stories of how our guests became interested in the ancient Middle East.


Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod
  

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-9158521 Wed, 08 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0100 2313 33 full false 32. András Bácskay: Fever! 32. András Bácskay: Fever! András discusses the medical conditions that showed themselves through heat of some kind. 'Heat' could affect many different body parts, for various reasons. Which medicinal ingredients were used to cure 'heat' and why? András also gives an introduction to his latest work on 'glosses' in medical texts, and what the broader significance of the different types is.

2:51 about Mesopotamian medicine
5:19 fever in the ancient texts
9:52 how to catch a fever
12:08 how to cure a fever
20:57 why lizards?
22:03 strange ingredients
23:12 glosses in medical texts

András' university page: https://btk.ppke.hu/en/academics/institutes-and-departments/institute-of-history/department-of-ancient-history/faculty/andras-bacskay
András' Academia page: https://ppke.academia.edu/Andr%C3%A1sB%C3%A1cskay
András' ResearchGate page: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andras-Bacskay


Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> András discusses the medical conditions that showed themselves through heat of some kind. 'Heat' could affect many different body parts, for various reasons. Which medicinal ingredients were used to cure 'heat' and why? András also gives an introduction to his latest work on 'glosses' in medical texts, and what the broader significance of the different types is.

2:51 about Mesopotamian medicine
5:19 fever in the ancient texts
9:52 how to catch a fever
12:08 how to cure a fever
20:57 why lizards?
22:03 strange ingredients
23:12 glosses in medical texts

András' university page: https://btk.ppke.hu/en/academics/institutes-and-departments/institute-of-history/department-of-ancient-history/faculty/andras-bacskay
András' Academia page: https://ppke.academia.edu/Andr%C3%A1sB%C3%A1cskay
András' ResearchGate page: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andras-Bacskay


Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-9039145 Thu, 19 Aug 2021 16:00:00 +0100 1785 32 full false 31. Stefania Ermidoro: Revisiting a Victorian explorer: Layard in the archives 31. Stefania Ermidoro: Revisiting a Victorian explorer: Layard in the archives Stefania introduces us to one of the dominant figures of early assyriology--Austen Henry Layard. She guides us through the archival sources that put his famous publications in context, and reveal the man behind the legend. 

3:03 Why was Layard famous?

5:34 Why study Layard?

7:50 Layard's cuneiform skills 

9:24 The sources and what we learn from them

15:08 Are the archives everything or just a selection?

16:42 Do the archives agree with his publications?

18:48 Stefania's publications

Stefania's Academia 

Stefania's university page 


Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Stefania introduces us to one of the dominant figures of early assyriology--Austen Henry Layard. She guides us through the archival sources that put his famous publications in context, and reveal the man behind the legend. 

3:03 Why was Layard famous?

5:34 Why study Layard?

7:50 Layard's cuneiform skills 

9:24 The sources and what we learn from them

15:08 Are the archives everything or just a selection?

16:42 Do the archives agree with his publications?

18:48 Stefania's publications

Stefania's Academia 

Stefania's university page 


Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-8895675 Wed, 21 Jul 2021 08:00:00 +0100 1638 full false 30. Elynn Gorris: Locating the Neo-Elamite kingdom 30. Elynn Gorris: Locating the Neo-Elamite kingdom Elynn introduces the historical geography of the Neo-Elamite kingdom. What do we know about the borderlands and their role in Assyrian-Elamite relations? Why don't we know where so many places are, and why is that so significant? 

2:32 who were “the Elamites”?
5:24 the Elamite language, writing, and texts 
7:33 about the Elamite kingdom 
10:21 relations with Elam's neighbours
11:50 the borderlands and Elamite-Assyrian relations
15:36 on Elamite identity 
16:28 where are the places mentioned in the texts?
21:16 about the harbours
25:16 matching up names with sites on the ground

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod 
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Elynn introduces the historical geography of the Neo-Elamite kingdom. What do we know about the borderlands and their role in Assyrian-Elamite relations? Why don't we know where so many places are, and why is that so significant? 

2:32 who were “the Elamites”?
5:24 the Elamite language, writing, and texts 
7:33 about the Elamite kingdom 
10:21 relations with Elam's neighbours
11:50 the borderlands and Elamite-Assyrian relations
15:36 on Elamite identity 
16:28 where are the places mentioned in the texts?
21:16 about the harbours
25:16 matching up names with sites on the ground

Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
Twitter: @wedge_pod 
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-8824910 Wed, 07 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +0100 1792 30 full false 29. Elena Devecchi, Stefano de Martino, Walther Sallaberger. Virtual assyriology: RAI 67,Turin 29. Elena Devecchi, Stefano de Martino, Walther Sallaberger. Virtual assyriology: RAI 67,Turin While the pandemic keeps us apart, colleagues are working hard to find ways to organise virtual conferences. The 67th RAI is hosted by Turin this July. Elena Devecchi and Stefano de Martino explain what to expect this year, and what it means to Turin to host a RAI now. Walther Sallaberger explains the IAA's role in coordinating the RAIs. 

]]> While the pandemic keeps us apart, colleagues are working hard to find ways to organise virtual conferences. The 67th RAI is hosted by Turin this July. Elena Devecchi and Stefano de Martino explain what to expect this year, and what it means to Turin to host a RAI now. Walther Sallaberger explains the IAA's role in coordinating the RAIs. 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-8749907 Wed, 23 Jun 2021 10:00:00 +0100 2281 29 full false 28. Sophus Helle: 150 years of Gilgamesh 28. Sophus Helle: 150 years of Gilgamesh Sophus explains the most famous piece of literature from ancient Iraq: the Epic of Gilgamesh. He guides us through the many meanings that have been found in it, from antiquity to the present day. Why does it fascinate us, and what can it offer us?

2:21 about the Gilgamesh Epic

6:38 what Gilgamesh meant in antiquity

9:39 meanings in the modern world

15:51 what Gilgamesh has meant for Iraqis in particular

22:21 Sophus’s new book, and a reading from his translation



Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Sophus explains the most famous piece of literature from ancient Iraq: the Epic of Gilgamesh. He guides us through the many meanings that have been found in it, from antiquity to the present day. Why does it fascinate us, and what can it offer us?

2:21 about the Gilgamesh Epic

6:38 what Gilgamesh meant in antiquity

9:39 meanings in the modern world

15:51 what Gilgamesh has meant for Iraqis in particular

22:21 Sophus’s new book, and a reading from his translation



Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-8667229 Wed, 09 Jun 2021 08:00:00 +0100 1959 28 full false 27. Reinhard Pirngruber: Babylonian astronomical diaries 27. Reinhard Pirngruber: Babylonian astronomical diaries Reinhard reveals the wealth of information recorded in the so-called "astronomical diaries". The astronomical component was, and still is, a valuable resource. But there is so much more. The diaries document fascinating historical details, help us understand the Babylonian economy, and offer remarkable details about the ancient environment. 

2:32 introduction to astronomical diaries
5:40 what do the diaries say?
10:37 who wrote them?
12:21 why were they written?
13:47 why are they important?
16:23 relation to other texts
19:19 what they tell us about the Babylonian economy
22:21 what they tell us about the environment
25:21 computer aided analysis

Reinhard's Academia page: https://oeaw.academia.edu/ReinhardPirngruber 


Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Reinhard reveals the wealth of information recorded in the so-called "astronomical diaries". The astronomical component was, and still is, a valuable resource. But there is so much more. The diaries document fascinating historical details, help us understand the Babylonian economy, and offer remarkable details about the ancient environment. 

2:32 introduction to astronomical diaries
5:40 what do the diaries say?
10:37 who wrote them?
12:21 why were they written?
13:47 why are they important?
16:23 relation to other texts
19:19 what they tell us about the Babylonian economy
22:21 what they tell us about the environment
25:21 computer aided analysis

Reinhard's Academia page: https://oeaw.academia.edu/ReinhardPirngruber 


Music by Ruba Hillawi


Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-8584550 Wed, 26 May 2021 08:00:00 +0100 1886 27 full false 26. Müge Durusu-Tanrıöver: Hittite art 26. Müge Durusu-Tanrıöver: Hittite art Müge introduces us to the Hittites and their artistic world. We focus on kings, and why there are so few depictions of kings in human form. What do they look like? What are they communicating and who to? What does it tell us about the relationship between human and divine worlds?

 

3:45 nature and scope of Hittite art

7:22 who is it for?

10:49 relation to other ancient Middle Eastern traditions

12:41 why are there so few representations of kings in human form?

15:37 individuality or timeless kingship?

18:25 what does the king look like? 

21:03 portraits or generic forms?

22:22 relation between human and divine worlds

23:55 can we identify historical events in art?

 
Müge's university page: http://arkeo.bilkent.edu.tr/muge.html

Müge's Academia page: https://bilkent.academia.edu/mdurusu

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Müge introduces us to the Hittites and their artistic world. We focus on kings, and why there are so few depictions of kings in human form. What do they look like? What are they communicating and who to? What does it tell us about the relationship between human and divine worlds?

 

3:45 nature and scope of Hittite art

7:22 who is it for?

10:49 relation to other ancient Middle Eastern traditions

12:41 why are there so few representations of kings in human form?

15:37 individuality or timeless kingship?

18:25 what does the king look like? 

21:03 portraits or generic forms?

22:22 relation between human and divine worlds

23:55 can we identify historical events in art?

 
Müge's university page: http://arkeo.bilkent.edu.tr/muge.html

Müge's Academia page: https://bilkent.academia.edu/mdurusu

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-8494543 Wed, 12 May 2021 15:00:00 +0100 1723 26 full false 25. Adelheid Otto, Nicolò Marchetti, Ingolf Thuesen: ICAANE: archaeology coming together 25. Adelheid Otto, Nicolò Marchetti, Ingolf Thuesen: ICAANE: archaeology coming together Adelheid, Nicolò, and Ingolf explain about the ICAANE. Why was it started, and how did it become what it is today? What does it take to organise an ICAANE? What lessons were learned from the recent, virtual ICAANE? And what can we expect from future ICAANEs? What can be done to make them more inclusive?

 
Adelheid:

2:49 About ICAANE

5:10 Scope of ICAANE

8:11 Who runs it?

10:22 Logistics of in-person ICAANE

 

Nicolò

14:21 Significance of ICAANE

16:20 Logistics of virtual ICAANE

23:17 Successes of virtual ICAANE Bologna

 

Ingolf

27:17 Why is ICAANE always in Europe?

28:55 What can we expect from ICAANE 2023 in Copenhagen?

34:10 Inclusion, and the future of ICAANE

 

Access to ICAANE 12 Bologna lectures: https://12icaane.site.ibrida.io 

ICAANE 12 Bologna website: https://eventi.unibo.it/12icaane 

OrientLab YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IjpFbH2DRU 


Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Adelheid, Nicolò, and Ingolf explain about the ICAANE. Why was it started, and how did it become what it is today? What does it take to organise an ICAANE? What lessons were learned from the recent, virtual ICAANE? And what can we expect from future ICAANEs? What can be done to make them more inclusive?

 
Adelheid:

2:49 About ICAANE

5:10 Scope of ICAANE

8:11 Who runs it?

10:22 Logistics of in-person ICAANE

 

Nicolò

14:21 Significance of ICAANE

16:20 Logistics of virtual ICAANE

23:17 Successes of virtual ICAANE Bologna

 

Ingolf

27:17 Why is ICAANE always in Europe?

28:55 What can we expect from ICAANE 2023 in Copenhagen?

34:10 Inclusion, and the future of ICAANE

 

Access to ICAANE 12 Bologna lectures: https://12icaane.site.ibrida.io 

ICAANE 12 Bologna website: https://eventi.unibo.it/12icaane 

OrientLab YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IjpFbH2DRU 


Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-8416882 Wed, 28 Apr 2021 12:00:00 +0100 2602 25 full false 24. Ariane Thomas: a curator’s life at the Louvre 24. Ariane Thomas: a curator’s life at the Louvre The world’s first Assyrian museum opened in 1847 in Paris, at the Louvre. Since then, the Louvre has curated one of the most important collections of antiquities from the ancient Middle East. What is the modern approach to curation there? Ariane discusses the curatorial role, from displays, research, combatting illegal antiquities, heritage protection, and partnerships with colleagues and institutions in the Middle East. 

  

2:29 what a curator at the Louvre does 

4:12 display at the Louvre

12:28 how research fits in

15:50 acquisitions and combatting illegal antiquities 

20:40 Louvre’s activities in the Middle East

25:50 about the department of Ancient Near Eastern Antiquities 

30:01 what the future might hold at the Louvre

  

Ariane in the news: https://www.culture.gouv.fr/Presse/Communiques-de-presse/Nomination-d-Ariane-Thomas-a-la-tete-du-departement-des-antiquites-orientales-du-musee-du-Louvre 

On the Louvre website: https://www.louvre.fr/recherche-et-conservation/departement-des-antiquites-orientales 

Louvre on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MuseeLouvre 

Louvre on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/louvre

ALIPH: https://www.aliph-foundation.org/

  

Music by Ruba Hillawi

  

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> The world’s first Assyrian museum opened in 1847 in Paris, at the Louvre. Since then, the Louvre has curated one of the most important collections of antiquities from the ancient Middle East. What is the modern approach to curation there? Ariane discusses the curatorial role, from displays, research, combatting illegal antiquities, heritage protection, and partnerships with colleagues and institutions in the Middle East. 

  

2:29 what a curator at the Louvre does 

4:12 display at the Louvre

12:28 how research fits in

15:50 acquisitions and combatting illegal antiquities 

20:40 Louvre’s activities in the Middle East

25:50 about the department of Ancient Near Eastern Antiquities 

30:01 what the future might hold at the Louvre

  

Ariane in the news: https://www.culture.gouv.fr/Presse/Communiques-de-presse/Nomination-d-Ariane-Thomas-a-la-tete-du-departement-des-antiquites-orientales-du-musee-du-Louvre 

On the Louvre website: https://www.louvre.fr/recherche-et-conservation/departement-des-antiquites-orientales 

Louvre on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MuseeLouvre 

Louvre on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/louvre

ALIPH: https://www.aliph-foundation.org/

  

Music by Ruba Hillawi

  

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Buzzsprout-8288847 Tue, 13 Apr 2021 11:00:00 +0100 2404 24 full false 23. Heather Baker: Babylonian houses and housing 23. Heather Baker: Babylonian houses and housing Many of us have spent a lot of time at home this year. What would that have been like in ancient Babylon? Heather talks about housing in the first millennium BC. What were houses like, who lived in them, and how did they use them? She discusses what houses meant to Babylonians, and how they were split and reconstituted by the family. 

 
2:34 where was housing in the city?

4:13 where did people want to live?

6:42 did houses have kerb appeal?

8:54 a typical house

12:17 how rooms were used

15:13 who lived in a typical house?

18:09 keeping a family home

22:04 what about water?

26:01 how did you find where someone lived?

https://www.nmc.utoronto.ca/people/directories/all-faculty/heather-d-baker 

https://hcommons.org/members/apkallatu/ 

https://utoronto.academia.edu/HeatherDBaker 

  

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Many of us have spent a lot of time at home this year. What would that have been like in ancient Babylon? Heather talks about housing in the first millennium BC. What were houses like, who lived in them, and how did they use them? She discusses what houses meant to Babylonians, and how they were split and reconstituted by the family. 

 
2:34 where was housing in the city?

4:13 where did people want to live?

6:42 did houses have kerb appeal?

8:54 a typical house

12:17 how rooms were used

15:13 who lived in a typical house?

18:09 keeping a family home

22:04 what about water?

26:01 how did you find where someone lived?

https://www.nmc.utoronto.ca/people/directories/all-faculty/heather-d-baker 

https://hcommons.org/members/apkallatu/ 

https://utoronto.academia.edu/HeatherDBaker 

  

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-8195602 Wed, 24 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000 1822 23 full false 22. Jaafar Jotheri: Wonderful waterways: the geo-archaeology of southern Iraq 22. Jaafar Jotheri: Wonderful waterways: the geo-archaeology of southern Iraq Jaafar explains his love for the ancient waterways of southern Iraq. He tells us why they are so important, and what they can tell us about life in ancient Iraq. How do you find ancient waterways? And how do you investigate them? 

 

2:44 Jaafar's interest in waterways

4:26 why are they important?

6:35 what they can tell us

11:39 the relationship between sites and waterways

17:06 how to study waterways

21:36 collaborations

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaafarJotheri 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001588284937 

Publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=9zuyq4UAAAAJ  

University website: http://qu.edu.iq/arc/?page_id=4405  

Nahrein Network: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/nahrein/project-team/core-team

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Jaafar explains his love for the ancient waterways of southern Iraq. He tells us why they are so important, and what they can tell us about life in ancient Iraq. How do you find ancient waterways? And how do you investigate them? 

 

2:44 Jaafar's interest in waterways

4:26 why are they important?

6:35 what they can tell us

11:39 the relationship between sites and waterways

17:06 how to study waterways

21:36 collaborations

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaafarJotheri 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001588284937 

Publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=9zuyq4UAAAAJ  

University website: http://qu.edu.iq/arc/?page_id=4405  

Nahrein Network: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/nahrein/project-team/core-team

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-8154153 Wed, 17 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000 1727 22 full false 21. Fabienne Huber Vuillet: Meanings from the mundane 21. Fabienne Huber Vuillet: Meanings from the mundane 21. Fabienne Huber Vuillet: Meanings from the mundane

Fabienne introduces us to the Mesopotamian science of predicting the future based on things that happened during daily life. What might have meaning, and how would you find it? Who used this kind of expertise? And was there anything you could do to change the future predicted for you? 

2:34 omens from daily life

5:20 what had meaning

10:20 how did divination worked

16:49 who used the omens

19:51 could you change the future?

25:15 how the mass of knowledge was organised

 

Project site: https://www.unige.ch/lettres/antic/unites/mesopotamie/projets/edition-de-la-serie-divinatoire-shumma-alu/

 
Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> 21. Fabienne Huber Vuillet: Meanings from the mundane

Fabienne introduces us to the Mesopotamian science of predicting the future based on things that happened during daily life. What might have meaning, and how would you find it? Who used this kind of expertise? And was there anything you could do to change the future predicted for you? 

2:34 omens from daily life

5:20 what had meaning

10:20 how did divination worked

16:49 who used the omens

19:51 could you change the future?

25:15 how the mass of knowledge was organised

 

Project site: https://www.unige.ch/lettres/antic/unites/mesopotamie/projets/edition-de-la-serie-divinatoire-shumma-alu/

 
Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-7901749 Wed, 17 Feb 2021 08:00:00 +0000 2066 21 full false 20. Xiaoli Ouyang: Silver in Sumer: money in Mesopotamia? 20. Xiaoli Ouyang: Silver in Sumer: money in Mesopotamia? Xiaoli introduces us to silver in the Sumerian city of Umma. She explains where it came from and how people got hold of it. Who was able to use it and what for? She tells us how we might understand whether it could be called money. And explains the physical form in which silver circulated. 

5:42 What is money?

8:46 Who used silver?

13:00 How they got silver

16:55 Did silver actually circulate?

22:26 How was value set?

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

 

]]> Xiaoli introduces us to silver in the Sumerian city of Umma. She explains where it came from and how people got hold of it. Who was able to use it and what for? She tells us how we might understand whether it could be called money. And explains the physical form in which silver circulated. 

5:42 What is money?

8:46 Who used silver?

13:00 How they got silver

16:55 Did silver actually circulate?

22:26 How was value set?

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-7750927 Wed, 10 Feb 2021 08:00:00 +0000 1616 20 full false 19. Shiyanthi Thavapalan: Colour in Mesopotamia 19. Shiyanthi Thavapalan: Colour in Mesopotamia 19. Shiyanthi Thavapalan: Colour in Mesopotamia

 Shiyanthi throws light on how colour was interpreted in Mesopotamia. What cultural meanings were attached to colours? What was the relation between materials and colours? She explains where they sourced their pigments and how they made paints. 

  

2:26 Mesopotamia as a colourful place

6:01 How they saw colour

12:00 How we know about colour

14:47 Materials and colour

16:56 Sources of pigments

21:56 Experimental archaeology

23:33 The meaning of colours

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> 19. Shiyanthi Thavapalan: Colour in Mesopotamia

 Shiyanthi throws light on how colour was interpreted in Mesopotamia. What cultural meanings were attached to colours? What was the relation between materials and colours? She explains where they sourced their pigments and how they made paints. 

  

2:26 Mesopotamia as a colourful place

6:01 How they saw colour

12:00 How we know about colour

14:47 Materials and colour

16:56 Sources of pigments

21:56 Experimental archaeology

23:33 The meaning of colours

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-7618204 Wed, 03 Feb 2021 08:00:00 +0000 1865 19 full false 18. Carmen Gütschow: Archaeological conservation 18. Carmen Gütschow: Archaeological conservation 18. Carmen Gütschow: Archaeological conservation

Carmen introduces the work of an archaeological conservator. She discusses the issues that arise in different materials, and the range of treatments and tools she uses. What are the pressures of conservation work on an archaeological site? And what does she do differently in Europe and the Middle East. As an expert in treating cuneiform tablets, Carmen explains about firing and salts.

3:03 what a conservator does
4:23 ceramics
7:38 organics and humidity
8:54 metals
11:40 work on an archaeological site versus work in a lab
13:38 work in the Middle East
16:23 cuneiform tablets
17:42 firing tablets
21:46 preserving original condition
24:37 working in museums

Carmen’s book

Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg/Excavation in Assur and Bakr Awa and Ninive in Iraq/Kurdistan

  • https://www.assur.de/Themen/Ausgrabung/Assur2001/Konservierung/konservierung.html
  • https://www.assur.de/Themen/Bakr_Awa/Restoration/body_restoration.html
  • https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wissen/ausgrabung-in-ninive-heilsbotschaft-aus-dem-alten-orient/25727444.html

The Shamlu Archaeological Mission (SAM) is part of the DFG Emmy Noether project "Flight - Migration - Interaction. Artefact related diversity in Ancient Near Eastern contexts of the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC"

LMU/ Iran. Das elamische Archiv aus Goshtaspi. Staatliche Verwaltung

Sippar library/ Baghdad, Iraq. „Electronic Babylonian Literature“ (Professor Enrique Jiménez).

Hilprecht collection, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena 
• https://www.oriindufa.uni-jena.de/keilschrift
• https://iaassyriology.com/congratulations-winner-of-the-second-iaa-dissertation-prize/
• https://www.harrassowitz-verlag.de/dzo/artikel/201/91_201.pdf?t=1408373297

DAI  /Uruk-Warka collection, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg
• iDAI.publications: publications.dainst.org › efb › article › download
• https://lens.idai.world/?url=/repository/eDAI-F_2020-3/eDAI-F_VanEss.xml

Böhl-Collection NINO /Leiden, Netherlands
• http://www.nino-leiden.nl/collections/de-liagre-bohl-collection
• http://www.nino-leiden.nl/message/pilot-restoration-of-clay-tablets-in-the-bohl-collection

VAM Berlin “Das Vorprojekt BABylo-tec”. Erinnerung an das ende der deutschen Babylon- Expedition

Museum of Islamic art Berlin/ Afghanistan. A museum project in Herat Afghanistan
• http://ancient-herat.de/category/herat_pdf_en/
• http://ancient-herat.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/00b-Showcasing-History-Realisation-of-a-Vision-D.pdf
•https://www.academia.edu/30106499/Herat_Through_Time_The_Collections_of_the_Herat_Museum_and_Archive_Ancient_Herat_Vol_3_Berlin_2016_extracts

Museum of Islamic art Berlin/ Karachi, Pakistan. A project and exhibition in Karachi

A new museum project in Yazd
• https://www.smb.museum/museen-einrichtungen/museum-fuer-islamische-kunst/sammeln-forschen/forschung-kooperation/iran-the-provincial-museum-yazd-national-museum-teheran/
• https://www.bundeskunsthalle.de/forschungsprojekte/iran.html
• https://www.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/Iran
• https://www.welcometoiran.com/german-institute-to-help-set-up-museum/


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 
Twitter: @wedge_pod  
Patreon: htt

]]> 18. Carmen Gütschow: Archaeological conservation

Carmen introduces the work of an archaeological conservator. She discusses the issues that arise in different materials, and the range of treatments and tools she uses. What are the pressures of conservation work on an archaeological site? And what does she do differently in Europe and the Middle East. As an expert in treating cuneiform tablets, Carmen explains about firing and salts.

3:03 what a conservator does
4:23 ceramics
7:38 organics and humidity
8:54 metals
11:40 work on an archaeological site versus work in a lab
13:38 work in the Middle East
16:23 cuneiform tablets
17:42 firing tablets
21:46 preserving original condition
24:37 working in museums

Carmen’s book

Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg/Excavation in Assur and Bakr Awa and Ninive in Iraq/Kurdistan

  • https://www.assur.de/Themen/Ausgrabung/Assur2001/Konservierung/konservierung.html
  • https://www.assur.de/Themen/Bakr_Awa/Restoration/body_restoration.html
  • https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wissen/ausgrabung-in-ninive-heilsbotschaft-aus-dem-alten-orient/25727444.html

The Shamlu Archaeological Mission (SAM) is part of the DFG Emmy Noether project "Flight - Migration - Interaction. Artefact related diversity in Ancient Near Eastern contexts of the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC"

LMU/ Iran. Das elamische Archiv aus Goshtaspi. Staatliche Verwaltung

Sippar library/ Baghdad, Iraq. „Electronic Babylonian Literature“ (Professor Enrique Jiménez).

Hilprecht collection, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena 
• https://www.oriindufa.uni-jena.de/keilschrift
• https://iaassyriology.com/congratulations-winner-of-the-second-iaa-dissertation-prize/
• https://www.harrassowitz-verlag.de/dzo/artikel/201/91_201.pdf?t=1408373297

DAI  /Uruk-Warka collection, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg
• iDAI.publications: publications.dainst.org › efb › article › download
• https://lens.idai.world/?url=/repository/eDAI-F_2020-3/eDAI-F_VanEss.xml

Böhl-Collection NINO /Leiden, Netherlands
• http://www.nino-leiden.nl/collections/de-liagre-bohl-collection
• http://www.nino-leiden.nl/message/pilot-restoration-of-clay-tablets-in-the-bohl-collection

VAM Berlin “Das Vorprojekt BABylo-tec”. Erinnerung an das ende der deutschen Babylon- Expedition

Museum of Islamic art Berlin/ Afghanistan. A museum project in Herat Afghanistan
• http://ancient-herat.de/category/herat_pdf_en/
• http://ancient-herat.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/00b-Showcasing-History-Realisation-of-a-Vision-D.pdf
•https://www.academia.edu/30106499/Herat_Through_Time_The_Collections_of_the_Herat_Museum_and_Archive_Ancient_Herat_Vol_3_Berlin_2016_extracts

Museum of Islamic art Berlin/ Karachi, Pakistan. A project and exhibition in Karachi

A new museum project in Yazd
• https://www.smb.museum/museen-einrichtungen/museum-fuer-islamische-kunst/sammeln-forschen/forschung-kooperation/iran-the-provincial-museum-yazd-national-museum-teheran/
• https://www.bundeskunsthalle.de/forschungsprojekte/iran.html
• https://www.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/Iran
• https://www.welcometoiran.com/german-institute-to-help-set-up-museum/


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 
Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 
Twitter: @wedge_pod  
Patreon: htt

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-7460746 Tue, 26 Jan 2021 10:00:00 +0000 1912 18 full false 17. Strahil Panayotov: Assyrian eye medicine 17. Strahil Panayotov: Assyrian eye medicine 17. Strahil Panayotov: Assyrian eye medicine

Strahil explains how Assyrian medicine worked. Who were the doctors and what did they do? Would their treatments have been effective? He discusses the problems caused by taxonomy. Different ideas about the human body and the diseases affecting it make it more difficult for us to understand Assyrian medicine. One of our most important sources is a newly reconstructed reference work, The Nineveh Medical Encyclopaedia. 

2:46 Assyrian doctors

5:24 how medicine worked

8:44 eye problems and their treatment

12:25 the problem of taxonomy

15:25 about our sources

17:30 the Nineveh Medical Encyclopaedia

 

BabMed: https://www.geschkult.fu-berlin.de/en/e/babmed/index.html

Strahil’s Academia: https://bas.academia.edu/StrahilPanayotov

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 


]]> 17. Strahil Panayotov: Assyrian eye medicine

Strahil explains how Assyrian medicine worked. Who were the doctors and what did they do? Would their treatments have been effective? He discusses the problems caused by taxonomy. Different ideas about the human body and the diseases affecting it make it more difficult for us to understand Assyrian medicine. One of our most important sources is a newly reconstructed reference work, The Nineveh Medical Encyclopaedia. 

2:46 Assyrian doctors

5:24 how medicine worked

8:44 eye problems and their treatment

12:25 the problem of taxonomy

15:25 about our sources

17:30 the Nineveh Medical Encyclopaedia

 

BabMed: https://www.geschkult.fu-berlin.de/en/e/babmed/index.html

Strahil’s Academia: https://bas.academia.edu/StrahilPanayotov

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 


]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-7338370 Wed, 20 Jan 2021 08:00:00 +0000 1708 17 full false 16. Ilgi Gerçek and Selim Adalı: The Istanbul Sippar Project 16. Ilgi Gerçek and Selim Adalı: The Istanbul Sippar Project Ilgi and Selim explain their collaborative project to document and eventually publish an important group of texts from Turkish-sponsored excavations at Sippar in the late 19th century. They discuss the number and content of these tablets, and how they came to Istanbul. What are the project’s aims and what progress has been made so far? 

 

5:07 About the Project

5:47 Why Sippar?

7:27 About the tablets

9:25 How they came to Istanbul

13:15 Results and further goals

18:45 Wider dissemination

20:56 Mesopotamia in schools

 

 Sevin Kutlu and Teoman Duralı's translation based on N.K. Sandars's translation: Gılgamış Destanı (The Gilgamesh Epic)

Muazzez İlmiye Çığ, Gilgameş. Tarihte İlk Kral Kahraman (Gilgamesh. The First Hero King in History)

Sait Maden, Gılgamış Destanı (The Gilgamesh Epic)

Orhan Suda's translation of Jean Bottéro's translation, Gılgamış Destanı. Ölmek İstemeyen Adam (The Gilgamesh Epic. The Man Who Does Not Want To Die)

Muzaffer Ramazanoğlu, 2010, Gılgamış Destanı (The Gilgamesh Epic)

 

ilgigercek (at) bilkent.edu.tr

selimferruh.adali (at) asbu.edu.tr


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Ilgi and Selim explain their collaborative project to document and eventually publish an important group of texts from Turkish-sponsored excavations at Sippar in the late 19th century. They discuss the number and content of these tablets, and how they came to Istanbul. What are the project’s aims and what progress has been made so far? 

 

5:07 About the Project

5:47 Why Sippar?

7:27 About the tablets

9:25 How they came to Istanbul

13:15 Results and further goals

18:45 Wider dissemination

20:56 Mesopotamia in schools

 

 Sevin Kutlu and Teoman Duralı's translation based on N.K. Sandars's translation: Gılgamış Destanı (The Gilgamesh Epic)

Muazzez İlmiye Çığ, Gilgameş. Tarihte İlk Kral Kahraman (Gilgamesh. The First Hero King in History)

Sait Maden, Gılgamış Destanı (The Gilgamesh Epic)

Orhan Suda's translation of Jean Bottéro's translation, Gılgamış Destanı. Ölmek İstemeyen Adam (The Gilgamesh Epic. The Man Who Does Not Want To Die)

Muzaffer Ramazanoğlu, 2010, Gılgamış Destanı (The Gilgamesh Epic)

 

ilgigercek (at) bilkent.edu.tr

selimferruh.adali (at) asbu.edu.tr


Music by Ruba Hillawi

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-7179334 Thu, 07 Jan 2021 17:00:00 +0000 1660 16 full false 15. Daniel Nicky: Teaching Mesopotamia through music 15. Daniel Nicky: Teaching Mesopotamia through music Daniel Nicky explains how he uses music to help teach school children about history. His Mesopotamia song has been incredibly successful. How does he do it, and what does it take? His work with youth groups in West Java may offer inspiration for engaging youth in the Middle East. 

03:15 origins of the Mesopotamia Song

06:43 why it’s popular

10:00 the Mesopotamia Song

13:41 making the Song

16:22 researching the Song

23:37 plans for the future

27:09 working with youth groups

  
The Mesopotamia Song

Mr Nicky's World History Songs 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

  

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Daniel Nicky explains how he uses music to help teach school children about history. His Mesopotamia song has been incredibly successful. How does he do it, and what does it take? His work with youth groups in West Java may offer inspiration for engaging youth in the Middle East. 

03:15 origins of the Mesopotamia Song

06:43 why it’s popular

10:00 the Mesopotamia Song

13:41 making the Song

16:22 researching the Song

23:37 plans for the future

27:09 working with youth groups

  
The Mesopotamia Song

Mr Nicky's World History Songs 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

  

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-7045753 Wed, 30 Dec 2020 08:00:00 +0000 1923 15 full false 14. Aaron Tugendhaft: Images, idols and iconoclasm 14. Aaron Tugendhaft: Images, idols and iconoclasm Aaron discusses the ideas from his new book, The Idols of Isis: from Assyria to the Internet. The ISIS video of men smashing statues in Mosul Museum reminded him of a lost scene from Sargon’s palace. What are images? Why do we need them? Can they ever be anything other than incomplete and imperfect? And does that matter?

2:53 images, idolatry and iconoclasm

5:39 meanings of images in relation to Iraqi heritage

9:09 ISIS videos 

12:44 Sargon of Assyria and ancient iconoclasm

17:52 virtuous iconoclasm?

21:55 how museums might display meanings

 

Idols of Isis is available from the University of Chicago Press: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/I/bo60920783.html 

  

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

 

 

]]> Aaron discusses the ideas from his new book, The Idols of Isis: from Assyria to the Internet. The ISIS video of men smashing statues in Mosul Museum reminded him of a lost scene from Sargon’s palace. What are images? Why do we need them? Can they ever be anything other than incomplete and imperfect? And does that matter?

2:53 images, idolatry and iconoclasm

5:39 meanings of images in relation to Iraqi heritage

9:09 ISIS videos 

12:44 Sargon of Assyria and ancient iconoclasm

17:52 virtuous iconoclasm?

21:55 how museums might display meanings

 

Idols of Isis is available from the University of Chicago Press: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/I/bo60920783.html 

  

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

 

 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-6955547 Wed, 23 Dec 2020 08:00:00 +0000 1737 14 full false 13. Nicolò Marchetti: Nineveh 2020. How and why archaeology? 13. Nicolò Marchetti: Nineveh 2020. How and why archaeology? Nicolò discusses the work of the Iraqi-Italian team at the site of Nineveh in 2019 and 2020. What is the situation at Nineveh now? How has the site been affected in recent years? New research has revealed new information and insights. But far more importantly, Nicolò discusses the forms that archaeology can take, and why it is done. 

 2:24 about Nineveh

6:51 new work at Nineveh

9:55 what archaeology means at Nineveh

20:32 collaboration with SBAH

26:28 why this work, at Nineveh, now?

30:45 archaeological park

36:41 engaging communities

 

Academia: https://unibo.academia.edu/Nicol%C3%B2Marchetti 

University page: https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/nicolo.marchetti/en 

Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nicolo_Marchetti 

EDUU: https://site.unibo.it/eduu/en/project 

Barry McGuire - Eve Of Destruction: https://youtu.be/qfZVu0alU0I 

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

  

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Nicolò discusses the work of the Iraqi-Italian team at the site of Nineveh in 2019 and 2020. What is the situation at Nineveh now? How has the site been affected in recent years? New research has revealed new information and insights. But far more importantly, Nicolò discusses the forms that archaeology can take, and why it is done. 

 2:24 about Nineveh

6:51 new work at Nineveh

9:55 what archaeology means at Nineveh

20:32 collaboration with SBAH

26:28 why this work, at Nineveh, now?

30:45 archaeological park

36:41 engaging communities

 

Academia: https://unibo.academia.edu/Nicol%C3%B2Marchetti 

University page: https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/nicolo.marchetti/en 

Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nicolo_Marchetti 

EDUU: https://site.unibo.it/eduu/en/project 

Barry McGuire - Eve Of Destruction: https://youtu.be/qfZVu0alU0I 

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

  

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-6866822 Wed, 16 Dec 2020 08:00:00 +0000 2562 13 full false 12. Gojko Barjamovic: International trade 12. Gojko Barjamovic: International trade Gojko reveals the amazing scale and scope of international trade in the ancient Middle East. And the incredible detail in which we can study it. The Assyrian trade network was not the exception we used to think it was. The traders’ business records document a system that has much to offer wider historical study. 

2:39 what is trade?

5:10 about the Old Assyrian Colony Period

9:31 what the ancient archives tell us

12:49 was Assur normal or exceptional?

17:44 the significance of the scope and scale of the trade

21:52 who were these traders?

30:43 the relation between trade and political organisation

  

Academia: https://harvard.academia.edu/GojkoBarjamovic 

University page: https://nelc.fas.harvard.edu/people/gojko-barjamovic 

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 


]]> Gojko reveals the amazing scale and scope of international trade in the ancient Middle East. And the incredible detail in which we can study it. The Assyrian trade network was not the exception we used to think it was. The traders’ business records document a system that has much to offer wider historical study. 

2:39 what is trade?

5:10 about the Old Assyrian Colony Period

9:31 what the ancient archives tell us

12:49 was Assur normal or exceptional?

17:44 the significance of the scope and scale of the trade

21:52 who were these traders?

30:43 the relation between trade and political organisation

  

Academia: https://harvard.academia.edu/GojkoBarjamovic 

University page: https://nelc.fas.harvard.edu/people/gojko-barjamovic 

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 


]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-6733324 Wed, 09 Dec 2020 08:00:00 +0000 2103 12 full false 11. Carlos Gonçalves: The human face of Mesopotamian maths 11. Carlos Gonçalves: The human face of Mesopotamian maths Carlos introduces us to the social setting of Mesopotamian maths. What form did maths take? Who used it and what for? Are Mesopotamian practices related to what we know from other ancient cultures, or from the modern world? Carlos explains how our understanding of Mesopotamian maths has changed over the years.

Academia: https://usp-br.academia.edu/CGon%C3%A7alves  

 

 2:19 about Mesopotamian maths
5:34 the oldest maths
10:10 connections to other ancient cultures, and to the modern world
14:57 how they wrote numbers
17:22 how Mesopotamians thought about numbers
23:51 changing modern understandings of Mesopotamian maths
28:42 Carlos' work

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Carlos introduces us to the social setting of Mesopotamian maths. What form did maths take? Who used it and what for? Are Mesopotamian practices related to what we know from other ancient cultures, or from the modern world? Carlos explains how our understanding of Mesopotamian maths has changed over the years.

Academia: https://usp-br.academia.edu/CGon%C3%A7alves  

 

 2:19 about Mesopotamian maths
5:34 the oldest maths
10:10 connections to other ancient cultures, and to the modern world
14:57 how they wrote numbers
17:22 how Mesopotamians thought about numbers
23:51 changing modern understandings of Mesopotamian maths
28:42 Carlos' work

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-6615559 Wed, 02 Dec 2020 08:00:00 +0000 1897 11 full false 10. Licia Romano: Death and Burial in Sumer 10. Licia Romano: Death and Burial in Sumer Licia talks about her work at the Sumerian site of Abu Tbeirah in southern Iraq. She explains what the burials found there, and elsewhere in Iraq, tell us about the beliefs and practices of the Sumerians. Why are bodies oriented to the western horizon? And why are the heads sometimes missing? 

 

2:25 about Abu Tbeirah

3:14 why excavate at Abu Tbeirah?

6:50 where were the dead buried?

14:56 the orientation of bodies

18:18 grave goods

21:10 after death

24:58 how burials are excavated

  

Academia: https://wwwuniroma1.academia.edu/LiciaRomano 

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Licia_Romano 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbuTbeirah/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abu_tbeirah/?hl=en 

 

 Music by Ruba Hillawi

  

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

 

 

]]> Licia talks about her work at the Sumerian site of Abu Tbeirah in southern Iraq. She explains what the burials found there, and elsewhere in Iraq, tell us about the beliefs and practices of the Sumerians. Why are bodies oriented to the western horizon? And why are the heads sometimes missing? 

 

2:25 about Abu Tbeirah

3:14 why excavate at Abu Tbeirah?

6:50 where were the dead buried?

14:56 the orientation of bodies

18:18 grave goods

21:10 after death

24:58 how burials are excavated

  

Academia: https://wwwuniroma1.academia.edu/LiciaRomano 

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Licia_Romano 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbuTbeirah/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abu_tbeirah/?hl=en 

 

 Music by Ruba Hillawi

  

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

 

 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-6535132 Tue, 24 Nov 2020 18:00:00 +0000 1776 10 full false 9. Elisa Rossberger: Reflections in clay: the tactile art of terracottas 9. Elisa Rossberger: Reflections in clay: the tactile art of terracottas Elisa talks about terracottas as physical images. What different sorts are there? What images were popular? She tackles the difficult questions of who used them, and what for. What do broken examples tell us? And she explains how we understand the meaning of ancient images. 

 

3:05 what is a terracotta?

9:24 what kinds of terracotta are there?

11:36 what images were popular?

13:11 how were terracottas used?

17:52 how do discover the meaning of terracottas?

22:51 what was the significance of breaking terracottas?

24:35 how to follow Elisa’s work

  

University page: https://www.vorderas-archaeologie.uni-muenchen.de/personen/wiss_mitarbeiter/rossberger/index.html 

Academia: https://lmu-munich.academia.edu/ElisaRo%C3%9Fberger 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/elisarossberger 

 

ACAWAI-CS: https://www.acawai-cs.gwi.uni-muenchen.de/ 

https://twitter.com/acawai_cs 

  

Music by Ruba Hillawi

  

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod  

]]> Elisa talks about terracottas as physical images. What different sorts are there? What images were popular? She tackles the difficult questions of who used them, and what for. What do broken examples tell us? And she explains how we understand the meaning of ancient images. 

 

3:05 what is a terracotta?

9:24 what kinds of terracotta are there?

11:36 what images were popular?

13:11 how were terracottas used?

17:52 how do discover the meaning of terracottas?

22:51 what was the significance of breaking terracottas?

24:35 how to follow Elisa’s work

  

University page: https://www.vorderas-archaeologie.uni-muenchen.de/personen/wiss_mitarbeiter/rossberger/index.html 

Academia: https://lmu-munich.academia.edu/ElisaRo%C3%9Fberger 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/elisarossberger 

 

ACAWAI-CS: https://www.acawai-cs.gwi.uni-muenchen.de/ 

https://twitter.com/acawai_cs 

  

Music by Ruba Hillawi

  

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod  

]]> Buzzsprout-6453502 Fri, 20 Nov 2020 13:00:00 +0000 1724 9 full false 8. Saber Amiri Parian: Re-reading the Elamite version of Behistun 8. Saber Amiri Parian: Re-reading the Elamite version of Behistun Saber talks about his work recovering the text of the Elamite version of the trilingual inscription at Behistun. This is cuneiform’s equivalent of the Rosetta Stone. It was created at the end of the 6th century BC for Darius the Great of Persia. It has long been famous, but there is still more to learn about it. 

 

3:39 introducing Behistun

6:13 the 3 languages

9:23 Behistun or Bisitun?

10:34 knowledge of Behistun

13:21 why new work is needed

16:16 Saber’s work

20:09 future plans

23:43 Behistun and Elamite in Iran

 

 You can find Saber here:

Academia: https://independent.academia.edu/SaberAmiriParian 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saaber.pariyaan 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Saber_Parian 

 

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

 

]]> Saber talks about his work recovering the text of the Elamite version of the trilingual inscription at Behistun. This is cuneiform’s equivalent of the Rosetta Stone. It was created at the end of the 6th century BC for Darius the Great of Persia. It has long been famous, but there is still more to learn about it. 

 

3:39 introducing Behistun

6:13 the 3 languages

9:23 Behistun or Bisitun?

10:34 knowledge of Behistun

13:21 why new work is needed

16:16 Saber’s work

20:09 future plans

23:43 Behistun and Elamite in Iran

 

 You can find Saber here:

Academia: https://independent.academia.edu/SaberAmiriParian 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saaber.pariyaan 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Saber_Parian 

 

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-6306745 Wed, 11 Nov 2020 08:00:00 +0000 1770 8 full false 7. Dahlia Shehata. Anzu: the many faces of a monster 7. Dahlia Shehata. Anzu: the many faces of a monster Dahlia explains all about Anzu, the thunderbird. Who was he? How did his character change? Why was everyone so taken by the Tablet of Destinies? What does his story tell us about the Mesopotamian relationship to the world?

  

2:59 who is Anzu?

4:28 Anzu’s story

12:00 the Tablet of Destinies

15:59 how Ninurta defeated Anzu

17:30 the different Anzus

26:35 what’s new?

  

Dahlia's university staff page: https://www.phil.uni-wuerzburg.de/altorientalistik/team/shehata/ 

Dahlia's Academia: https://wue.academia.edu/DahliaShehata

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

  

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

 

]]> Dahlia explains all about Anzu, the thunderbird. Who was he? How did his character change? Why was everyone so taken by the Tablet of Destinies? What does his story tell us about the Mesopotamian relationship to the world?

  

2:59 who is Anzu?

4:28 Anzu’s story

12:00 the Tablet of Destinies

15:59 how Ninurta defeated Anzu

17:30 the different Anzus

26:35 what’s new?

  

Dahlia's university staff page: https://www.phil.uni-wuerzburg.de/altorientalistik/team/shehata/ 

Dahlia's Academia: https://wue.academia.edu/DahliaShehata

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

  

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-6203182 Wed, 04 Nov 2020 08:00:00 +0000 2096 full false 6. Paul Collins: Displaying the ancient Middle East in the 21st century 6. Paul Collins: Displaying the ancient Middle East in the 21st century Paul explains the thinking behind traditional displays. He then guides us through the new displays at the Ashmolean. What is he doing differently? What does the future of display look like?

2:09 traditional displays

4:55 the role of aesthetics

8:14 temporary exhibitions versus permanent displays

12:53 flexible displays

17:37 catering for senses other than sight

21:47 technology

24:18 terminology

25:51 Owning the Past: from Mesopotamia to Iraq

28:32 new galleries at the Ashmolean

37:41 skill-sharing with Iraqi colleagues

39:39 how to follow Paul’s work



Ashmolean for All blog: https://ashmoleanforall.blog/ 

Nahrein Networks: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/nahrein/

BISI: http://www.bisi.ac.uk/ 

 

Paul’s Twitter : https://twitter.com/P_T_Collins 

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

 

]]> Paul explains the thinking behind traditional displays. He then guides us through the new displays at the Ashmolean. What is he doing differently? What does the future of display look like?

2:09 traditional displays

4:55 the role of aesthetics

8:14 temporary exhibitions versus permanent displays

12:53 flexible displays

17:37 catering for senses other than sight

21:47 technology

24:18 terminology

25:51 Owning the Past: from Mesopotamia to Iraq

28:32 new galleries at the Ashmolean

37:41 skill-sharing with Iraqi colleagues

39:39 how to follow Paul’s work



Ashmolean for All blog: https://ashmoleanforall.blog/ 

Nahrein Networks: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/nahrein/

BISI: http://www.bisi.ac.uk/ 

 

Paul’s Twitter : https://twitter.com/P_T_Collins 

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-6078013 Wed, 28 Oct 2020 08:00:00 +0000 2535 6 full false 5. Jacob Jawdat and Rients de Boer: Gardening on the frontline 5. Jacob Jawdat and Rients de Boer: Gardening on the frontline Jacob and Rients discuss their collaboration on texts from a site housing soldier-gardeners. Who were they and what were they doing there? How can archaeology help make sense of tablets looted a century ago? What is the situation today?

 

 03:12 Where is Tell Abu Antiq?

04:34 What does the name Abu Antiq, and the ancient name Pi-Kasi, mean?

07:09 Connecting tablets old and new.

08:50 The finds from Abu Antiq.

11:00 Progress so far.

11:45 “Gardeners”.

17:09 How to connect tablets to archives.

19:49 Importance of archaeological context.

22:44 The end of Pi-Kasi.

25:17 Plans for the future.

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Jacob and Rients discuss their collaboration on texts from a site housing soldier-gardeners. Who were they and what were they doing there? How can archaeology help make sense of tablets looted a century ago? What is the situation today?

 

 03:12 Where is Tell Abu Antiq?

04:34 What does the name Abu Antiq, and the ancient name Pi-Kasi, mean?

07:09 Connecting tablets old and new.

08:50 The finds from Abu Antiq.

11:00 Progress so far.

11:45 “Gardeners”.

17:09 How to connect tablets to archives.

19:49 Importance of archaeological context.

22:44 The end of Pi-Kasi.

25:17 Plans for the future.

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod 

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-5968918 Wed, 21 Oct 2020 08:00:00 +0100 1738 5 full false 4. Gina Konstantopoulos: A demon haunted world 4. Gina Konstantopoulos: A demon haunted world 16/10/2020

Thin End of the Wedge

Episode 4: Gina Konstantopoulos: A demon haunted world

Gina guides us through the family of demons. Who were they? What did they do, and why? How could tell if a demon had possessed someone. And what could you do about it? Hear the words of anti-demon spells. 

 

02:47 What was a demon?

07:04 Pandemonium! And demonic warfare. Pazuzu and Lamashtu.

13:26 Where they live.

15:10 Why demons attack.

18:37 How to fight demons. Exorcists and magic.

28: 49 Plans for the future.

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod   

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

  

]]> 16/10/2020

Thin End of the Wedge

Episode 4: Gina Konstantopoulos: A demon haunted world

Gina guides us through the family of demons. Who were they? What did they do, and why? How could tell if a demon had possessed someone. And what could you do about it? Hear the words of anti-demon spells. 

 

02:47 What was a demon?

07:04 Pandemonium! And demonic warfare. Pazuzu and Lamashtu.

13:26 Where they live.

15:10 Why demons attack.

18:37 How to fight demons. Exorcists and magic.

28: 49 Plans for the future.

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod   

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

  

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-5906887 Fri, 16 Oct 2020 08:00:00 +0100 1898 4 full false 3. Richard Dumbrill: Music in Mesopotamia 3. Richard Dumbrill: Music in Mesopotamia 12/10/2020

Thin End of the Wedge

Richard explains what we know about music from Mesopotamia, and how we know it. Hear his reconstruction of a Hurrian song that’s more than 3000 years old. He talks about his work with colleagues in the Middle East, using music to drive positive change. 

 

2:41 How do we know anything at all about music in Mesopotamia?

6:00 Babylonian system of music

12:10 What kind of music do we know about? Are they solo works or were there orchestras? 

15:16 What kinds of instrument did they have?

21:10 the Hurrian hymn

25:17 What do we know about the musicians? Who were they? What training did they have?

27:12 plans for the future

28:47 the cultural festivals at Babylon

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod   

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> 12/10/2020

Thin End of the Wedge

Richard explains what we know about music from Mesopotamia, and how we know it. Hear his reconstruction of a Hurrian song that’s more than 3000 years old. He talks about his work with colleagues in the Middle East, using music to drive positive change. 

 

2:41 How do we know anything at all about music in Mesopotamia?

6:00 Babylonian system of music

12:10 What kind of music do we know about? Are they solo works or were there orchestras? 

15:16 What kinds of instrument did they have?

21:10 the Hurrian hymn

25:17 What do we know about the musicians? Who were they? What training did they have?

27:12 plans for the future

28:47 the cultural festivals at Babylon

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod   

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-5833201 Mon, 12 Oct 2020 12:00:00 +0100 2035 3 full false 2. Jana Matuszak: Misogyny and the ideal Sumerian woman 2. Jana Matuszak: Misogyny and the ideal Sumerian woman 09/10/2020

Thin End of the Wedge

Jana Matuszak reveals the secrets of ancient texts describing how not to be a woman. Some of these texts have lain unread for almost 4000 years. She brings Sumerian literature to life. What do they tell us about the expectations placed on women in ancient Iraq? 


2:43 What do these texts sound like? 

4:38 About Sumerian

7:12 Introducing the texts: how many are there, and what happens in them?

13:16 Why are they fragmentary?

15:41 Is this reality?

24:51 Who was the ideal Sumerian woman?

27:43 Is it misogyny?

30:49 Research progress

 

Jana’s personal page at SOAS: https://soas-uk.academia.edu/JanaMatuszak 

Academia page with copies of articles: https://soas-uk.academia.edu/JanaMatuszak 

Twitter: @JanaMatuszak 

Jana’s book will be available through https://www.degruyter.com/view/title/571773?language=en 

To join the staging of “Two Women B” in English and Arabic, sign up via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/myevent?eid=117241708105 

ORACC is at: http://oracc.org  Jana’s translations are not yet available, but you’ll find all sorts of other interesting texts there in the meantime. 

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod   

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 


]]> 09/10/2020

Thin End of the Wedge

Jana Matuszak reveals the secrets of ancient texts describing how not to be a woman. Some of these texts have lain unread for almost 4000 years. She brings Sumerian literature to life. What do they tell us about the expectations placed on women in ancient Iraq? 


2:43 What do these texts sound like? 

4:38 About Sumerian

7:12 Introducing the texts: how many are there, and what happens in them?

13:16 Why are they fragmentary?

15:41 Is this reality?

24:51 Who was the ideal Sumerian woman?

27:43 Is it misogyny?

30:49 Research progress

 

Jana’s personal page at SOAS: https://soas-uk.academia.edu/JanaMatuszak 

Academia page with copies of articles: https://soas-uk.academia.edu/JanaMatuszak 

Twitter: @JanaMatuszak 

Jana’s book will be available through https://www.degruyter.com/view/title/571773?language=en 

To join the staging of “Two Women B” in English and Arabic, sign up via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/myevent?eid=117241708105 

ORACC is at: http://oracc.org  Jana’s translations are not yet available, but you’ll find all sorts of other interesting texts there in the meantime. 

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod   

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 


]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-5805259 Thu, 08 Oct 2020 18:00:00 +0100 2073 2 full false 1. Laith Hussein: Tell Harmal, heart of Eshnunna 1. Laith Hussein: Tell Harmal, heart of Eshnunna 05/10/2020

Thin End of the Wedge

Episode 1: Laith Hussein: Tell Harmal, heart of Eshnunna

Laith Hussein talks about a key centre in the kingdom of Eshnunna. Eshnunna was one of several rival kingdoms fighting for supremacy in Iraq about 4000 years ago. What was found, and what work is being done?
 

3:06 about the site of Tell Harmal. Where is it? How big is it? When was it excavated? What was its ancient name?

7:54 what ancient texts have been found there?

13:01 how the archaeological remains and texts relate to each other. The production of huge numbers of bricks.

15:54 what language are the texts in? And what do they talk about?

17:36 what do they tell us about life in ancient Iraq?

21:00 any plans for new excavations?


Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod   

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 


The article Dr Laith mentioned is: "Bauplanung und Administration in altbabylonischer Zeit: ein Tonbullen-Archiv aus Tell Harmal (Shaduppum)", in Kaskal 9 (2012), pp. 3-29

A brief report on the 1997-1998 excavations is available in English. 


The Iraqi scholars Dr Laith mentions as having worked on tablets from Tell Harmal are:

Basima Jalil Abed, Unpublished Cuneiform Texts from the Old Babylonian Period in the Iraq Museum. Masters dissertation, Baghdad University (in Arabic). 1998

Khalid al-A’dami, Some Old Babylonian Letters in the Iraq Museum. PhD dissertation. 1971

Abdulkarim  Abdullah Ahmed, Old Babylonian Loan Contracts in the Iraq Museum from Tell al-Dhiba’i and Tell Harmal. Masters dissertation, Baghdad University (= OBLC). 1964

Saad Salman Fahad, Cuneiform Texts from the Old Babylonian Period, Diyala Region, Tell Harmal. Masters dissertation, Baghdad University (in Arabic). 1996

Ahmad Hamid Majeed, Studies of Unpublished Old Babylonian Cuneiform Texts from the Diyala Region, Tell Harmal. Masters dissertation, Baghdad University (in Arabic). 1990        

Ridha al-Hashimi, Some Old Babylonian Purchase Contracts in the Iraqi Museum from Harmal and Dhiba’i (OBPC). Masters dissertation, Baghdad University (in Arabic). 1964

Menshed Mutlaq Menshed, Unpublished Cuneiform Texts from the Old Babylonian Period, Diyala Region, Tell Harmal. Masters dissertation, Baghdad University (in Arabic). 1997 

Ahmad Kamil Muhammed, Unpublished Old Babylonian Letters in the Iraq Museum. PhD dissertation, Baghdad University (in Arabic). 1996

Amir Suleiman, A Study of Land Tenure in the Old Babylonian Period with Special Reference to The Diyala Region, Based on Published and Unpublished Texts (= SLTOB). PhD dissertation, University of London. 1966

Amir Suleiman, Harvest Documents and Loan Contracts from the Old Babylonian Period, Sumer 34/I-II (1978), pp. 130-138

]]> 05/10/2020

Thin End of the Wedge

Episode 1: Laith Hussein: Tell Harmal, heart of Eshnunna

Laith Hussein talks about a key centre in the kingdom of Eshnunna. Eshnunna was one of several rival kingdoms fighting for supremacy in Iraq about 4000 years ago. What was found, and what work is being done?
 

3:06 about the site of Tell Harmal. Where is it? How big is it? When was it excavated? What was its ancient name?

7:54 what ancient texts have been found there?

13:01 how the archaeological remains and texts relate to each other. The production of huge numbers of bricks.

15:54 what language are the texts in? And what do they talk about?

17:36 what do they tell us about life in ancient Iraq?

21:00 any plans for new excavations?


Music by Ruba Hillawi

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod   

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod  

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 


The article Dr Laith mentioned is: "Bauplanung und Administration in altbabylonischer Zeit: ein Tonbullen-Archiv aus Tell Harmal (Shaduppum)", in Kaskal 9 (2012), pp. 3-29

A brief report on the 1997-1998 excavations is available in English. 


The Iraqi scholars Dr Laith mentions as having worked on tablets from Tell Harmal are:

Basima Jalil Abed, Unpublished Cuneiform Texts from the Old Babylonian Period in the Iraq Museum. Masters dissertation, Baghdad University (in Arabic). 1998

Khalid al-A’dami, Some Old Babylonian Letters in the Iraq Museum. PhD dissertation. 1971

Abdulkarim  Abdullah Ahmed, Old Babylonian Loan Contracts in the Iraq Museum from Tell al-Dhiba’i and Tell Harmal. Masters dissertation, Baghdad University (= OBLC). 1964

Saad Salman Fahad, Cuneiform Texts from the Old Babylonian Period, Diyala Region, Tell Harmal. Masters dissertation, Baghdad University (in Arabic). 1996

Ahmad Hamid Majeed, Studies of Unpublished Old Babylonian Cuneiform Texts from the Diyala Region, Tell Harmal. Masters dissertation, Baghdad University (in Arabic). 1990        

Ridha al-Hashimi, Some Old Babylonian Purchase Contracts in the Iraqi Museum from Harmal and Dhiba’i (OBPC). Masters dissertation, Baghdad University (in Arabic). 1964

Menshed Mutlaq Menshed, Unpublished Cuneiform Texts from the Old Babylonian Period, Diyala Region, Tell Harmal. Masters dissertation, Baghdad University (in Arabic). 1997 

Ahmad Kamil Muhammed, Unpublished Old Babylonian Letters in the Iraq Museum. PhD dissertation, Baghdad University (in Arabic). 1996

Amir Suleiman, A Study of Land Tenure in the Old Babylonian Period with Special Reference to The Diyala Region, Based on Published and Unpublished Texts (= SLTOB). PhD dissertation, University of London. 1966

Amir Suleiman, Harvest Documents and Loan Contracts from the Old Babylonian Period, Sumer 34/I-II (1978), pp. 130-138

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-5748709 Mon, 05 Oct 2020 17:00:00 +0100 1722 1 full false Hello! And welcome to Thin End of the Wedge Hello! And welcome to Thin End of the Wedge Hello! And welcome to Thin End of the Wedge. This episode explains what the podcast is about, and how and why I brought it to life. 

Thin End of the Wedge explores life in the ancient Middle East. There are many wonderful stories we can tell about those people, their communities, the gritty reality of their lives, their hopes, fears and beliefs. 

We bring you expert insights and the latest research in clear and simple language. We won’t talk to you like you’re stupid. But you won’t need any special training to understand what we’re talking about.

 

0:12 Welcome! Host Jon Taylor introduces the Thin End of the Wedge podcast

2:08 Why Thin End of the Wedge, and why now?

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi. 

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod  

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Hello! And welcome to Thin End of the Wedge. This episode explains what the podcast is about, and how and why I brought it to life. 

Thin End of the Wedge explores life in the ancient Middle East. There are many wonderful stories we can tell about those people, their communities, the gritty reality of their lives, their hopes, fears and beliefs. 

We bring you expert insights and the latest research in clear and simple language. We won’t talk to you like you’re stupid. But you won’t need any special training to understand what we’re talking about.

 

0:12 Welcome! Host Jon Taylor introduces the Thin End of the Wedge podcast

2:08 Why Thin End of the Wedge, and why now?

 

Music by Ruba Hillawi. 

 

Website: http://wedgepod.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WedgePod  

Email: wedgepod@gmail.com 

Twitter: @wedge_pod 

Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod 

]]> Jon Taylor Buzzsprout-5566897 Wed, 23 Sep 2020 10:00:00 +0100 417 trailer false