The Ultimate Mesopotamian Mystery

Available for over a year

Today we journey back 5,500 years to the dawn of urban civilisation, in the mud-brick metropolis of Uruk. We hear how their ancient cuneiform script was lost to time, until being dramatically rediscovered in the 19th century. Joining us is Joshua Hammer, a former war correspondent and author. He explains how three unlikely characters - a dashing archaeologist, an officer turned diplomat and a reclusive clergyman - raced one another to decipher this mysterious script and unlock the secrets of long-lost empires. Produced by Mariana des Forges and James Hickmann, and edited by Tim Arstall. All music from Epidemic Sounds/All3Media. Dan Snow's History Hit is a History Hit podcast.