Do you think you know the first documented ghosts? Join us in this episode as Irving Finkel reveals the secrets of the supernatural in ancient cultures. Prepare to explore the intriguing spiritual beliefs of our ancestors as we uncover the mysteries of Mesopotamia regarding ghosts and the afterlife in their society.

In this episode, you will:

My special guest is Irving Finkel

Professor Irving Finkel, an esteemed British Philologist and Assyriologist with a love for unravelling the mysteries of ancient Mesopotamia. As the Assistant Keeper of Ancient Mesopotamian Script, Languages, and Cultures at the British Museum, he has spent decades studying cuneiform inscriptions on clay tablets, bringing to life the stories and beliefs of long-gone civilizations. In his captivating book, The First Ghosts, he delves into the world of Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian ghost stories, exploring how these ancient cultures viewed the afterlife and the spirits that inhabited it. Through his work, we gain a deeper understanding of the human experience and our enduring fascination with the supernatural.

Mesopotamian Culture and the Paranormal
The ancient Mesopotamians held a particularly unique view of the paranormal, with their interpretation of death and the afterlife differing significantly from some contemporary Western ideas about spirits and life after death. In Mesopotamian culture, death was viewed as a continuation of existence in the underworld, rather than an end to life. Grave goods were buried with the deceased to be used in the afterlife and communication with the dead was a common practice, often involving dream visitations or necromantic rituals. Professor Finkel reflects on the importance of tomb-building and the burying of objects as a means of ensuring the deceased's well-being in the underworld. He also discusses ancient Mesopotamian practices of exorcism and the crucial role of magic, ritual, and incantation in dispelling malevolent spirits.

World's Oldest Ghost Picture
Ghosts played a significant role in the daily lives of the people of ancient Mesopotamia, as evidenced by their many cultural practices and beliefs. The realm of spirits and ghosts was one full of mystery that required constant vigilance to protect oneself and maintain a harmonious relationship with the supernatural. To this end, rituals were devised and performed to banish or appease spirits and communicate with the dead. The analysis of ancient artifacts has provided invaluable and often surprising insights into the beliefs and practices pertaining to spirits and ghosts in cultures past. Among some of the most extraordinary discoveries is an ancient Mesopotamian tablet bearing what is believed to be the world's oldest depiction of a ghost. This find opens up a new lens through which to view the understanding and interaction with the supernatural in history. The tablet serves as a tangible link between the ancient Mesopotamians and their understanding of the paranormal world that existed alongside their own. This incredible discovery further emphasizes the enduring nature of humanity's fascination with the supernatural and the connections that transcend time and cultural boundaries.

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