Episode Summary: "The Race to Decipher the World's First Writing"

Introduction

In this captivating episode of Dan Snow's History Hit, historian Dan Snow delves into the intriguing journey of deciphering cuneiform—the world's first known writing system. The episode, titled "The Race to Decipher the World's First Writing," explores the historical significance of cuneiform, the challenges faced by 19th-century scholars, and the fierce rivalry that ultimately unlocked ancient Mesopotamian secrets.

The Dawn of Writing: Cuneiform in Mesopotamia

The story begins [00:00] around 3,500 BC in Uruk, one of the world's first cities. Here, a scribe initiates the use of a reed stylus to press wedge-shaped symbols into clay, giving birth to cuneiform. For millennia, this script recorded everything from military victories to daily life in civilizations like Sumeria, Assyria, and Babylon. However, over time, the ability to read cuneiform was lost, leaving its rich history shrouded in mystery.

Rediscovery in the 19th Century

Fast forward to [04:35] June 10, 2025—London, 1857—to an era brimming with archaeological enthusiasm. The Industrial Revolution had sparked a global fascination with ancient civilizations. Among the newly unearthed sites in Mesopotamia, the palaces of ancient Assyria revealed thousands of clay tablets inscribed with cuneiform, but their meaning remained elusive to Europe's brightest minds.

Key Figures in the Decipherment Journey

Austin Henry Layard: The Pioneering Archaeologist

Austin Henry Layard emerges as a central figure [09:22] in this historical narrative. Originating from a British colonial background, Layard abandoned his law career to embark on perilous travels across the Ottoman Empire. His determination paid off when, after five years, he began excavating the ruins of Nineveh in northern Iraq around [11:33] 1845-1846. Layard's discoveries included intricate alabaster bas reliefs and monumental statues like the Lamassus—mythological guardians half-human, half-bull or lion—now housed in institutions like the British Museum.

Henry Rawlinson: The Linguistic Genius

Simultaneously, Henry Rawlinson, an East India Company officer and a master linguist [15:28], was making strides in deciphering cuneiform. Inspired by the success of scholars like Champollion with Egyptian hieroglyphs, Rawlinson focused on Persian cuneiform before tackling the more complex Assyrian script. His relentless efforts [20:09] culminated in a monumental report in 1846 proclaiming the decipherment of Persian cuneiform.

Edward Hincks: The Reclusive Clergyman

Contrasting Rawlinson's public persona was Edward Hincks, an Anglican priest and scholar [26:37] stationed in the remote parish of Killylake, Ireland. Despite his limited interaction with fellow scholars, Hincks independently worked on cuneiform decipherment, contributing significantly to the understanding of Akkadian, the language of Assyria and Babylon.

The Fierce Rivalry and the Decipherment Challenge

The competition between Rawlinson and Hincks intensified as both vied to crack the cuneiform code. Their rivalry peaked [29:21] in 1857 when William Henry Fox Talbot, a polymath and co-inventor of photography, initiated the Cuneiform Challenge. This contest tasked scholars with translating a clay cylinder inscribed with cuneiform within two months. The successful translations by Rawlinson, Hincks, and two other scholars [32:13] validated their breakthroughs, officially declaring cuneiform deciphered in June 1857.

Impact of Deciphering Cuneiform

The decipherment of cuneiform had profound implications [33:35] for understanding ancient Mesopotamian civilizations. Scholars unearthed a wealth of information covering legal codes like the Code of Hammurabi, epic literature such as Gilgamesh, and detailed accounts of medicine, astronomy, and daily life. These texts provided unparalleled insights into one of humanity's earliest complex societies, revealing both their scientific advancements and their often brutal political dynamics.

Continuing Mysteries and Modern Parallels

Despite the successes of the 19th-century scholars, some writing systems, like the Indus Valley script, remain undeciphered [41:45]. The episode draws parallels between the historic efforts to decode cuneiform and modern-day challenges in understanding ancient scripts, highlighting the ongoing quest for knowledge and the tantalizing possibilities that remain just out of reach.

Conclusion

"The Race to Decipher the World's First Writing" masterfully narrates the adventurous and competitive efforts that brought cuneiform from obscurity to scholarly understanding. Through the dedication of figures like Layard, Rawlinson, and Hincks, humanity unlocked a critical chapter of its history, enriching our comprehension of ancient civilizations and their enduring legacies. As Dan Snow eloquently puts it, this journey "opens up a long-lost vital chapter of human history," underscoring the timeless importance of uncovering and interpreting our past [43:38].

Notable Quotes:

• Josh Hammer: "Did they know about Mesopotamian civilization in particular, though?” [05:08]

• Dax Shepard: "The knowledge was lost. We humans forgot how to read it.” [04:35]

• Dax Shepard: "Rawlinson was doing both fieldwork and laborious desk work to crack the code.” [20:09]

• Dax Shepard: "If you want to pick a specific moment in the history of decipherment when they could say, you know, they have cracked the code, it would have been June 1857.” [32:59]

• Dax Shepard: "There was really a fascinating mix of practical science and traditional beliefs in Mesopotamian culture.” [35:35]

This episode not only sheds light on a pivotal moment in archaeological and linguistic history but also celebrates the relentless human spirit that drives us to uncover and understand the roots of civilization.