In an interesting YouTube video, the British Museum revealed an astonishing artefact known as the world’s oldest map. Irving Finkel, a philologist, assyriologist, and curator in the museum’s Middle East section, unveiled this 2,900-year-old treasure. The map, made of clay in ancient Mesopotamia, offers a unique glimpse into how early civilisations portrayed their world.
Although the map was partial, as is the case with many cuneiform tablets, Finkel and his student Edith Horsley were able to locate and reintegrate a critical missing section. This discovery not only completed the map, but also allowed them to explore the mythological geography of Mesopotamia, identifying the last resting location of Noah’s Ark, or Ziusudra’s Ark, according to the Mesopotamian flood narrative.
In the video, Finkel explains why the map was made of clay and digs into its fine features, providing viewers with a thorough investigation of this historical artefact. The video has received more than 140,000 views, with opinions ranging from astonishment to humour. Viewers applauded Finkel’s captivating narration and high-quality production, with one saying, “This is one of the best videos I’ve ever seen on YouTube.”
