Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and The Birth of History | Dr Moudhy Al-Rashid
We sit down with Dr Moudhy Al-Rashid, author of "Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and The Birth of History" an honorary fellow at Wolfson College, University of Oxford. She takes us on an incredible journey through ancient Mesopotamia, exploring the region's rich history, significant cultural innovations, and the development of the first writing system. We delve into the lives and contributions of notable Mesopotamians, including the first named author, princesses, and everyday people. We learn about ancient astronomy, the role of women in Mesopotamia, and the deep historical roots of many concepts we consider modern today. Tune in to understand why studying this ancient civilization remains crucial for our understanding of the present.
Dr Moudhy Al-Rashid is an assyriologist and historian based at Wolfson College, University of Oxford, who specializes in cuneiform and the history of science in ancient Mesopotamia. Thousands of cuneiform tablets preserve breathtaking moments in early scientific endeavor, like a 4,000-year-old approximation of pi and ancient observations of Halley's Comet — moments she hopes to bring to a wider audience. She's written "Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and The Birth of History," and practices archaeology in her home country of Saudi Arabia to learn more about the its rich ancient history, from early writing to wild camels in rock art.
Connect with 👉 Dr Al-Rashid
Get the book 👉 “Between Two Rivers”
Hosted by 👉 Mikey Muhanna
Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊
The afikra Podcast
The afikra Podcast is our flagship series featuring experts from academia, art, media, urban planning, and beyond, who are helping document and shape the histories and cultures of the Arab world through their work.
