Thin End of the Wedge By cover art

Thin End of the Wedge

By: Jon Taylor
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • Thin End of the Wedge explores life in the ancient Middle East. There are many wonderful stories we can tell about those people, their communities, the gritty reality of their lives, their hopes, fears and beliefs. We can do that through the objects they left behind and the cities where they once lived. Our focus is on the cultures that used cuneiform (“wedge-shaped”) writing, so mostly on ancient Iraq and nearby regions from about 3000 BC to about 100 AD. Thin End of the Wedge brings you expert insights and the latest research in clear and simple language. What do we know? How do we know anything? And why is what we know always changing? Why is any of this important today? We won’t talk to you like you’re stupid. But you won’t need any special training to understand what we’re talking about. This is an independent production by me as an individual. It is not supported by my employer or any other organisation I am involved with, and the views expressed here do not necessarily reflect theirs.
    © 2024 Thin End of the Wedge
    Show more Show less
Episodes
  • 65. Omar N'Shea: Masculinities in Mesopotamia

    65. Omar N'Shea: Masculinities in Mesopotamia
    Apr 3 2024

    Omar discusses the importance of studying gender as part of assyriology. What are the big themes now, and how did we get here? He focuses on two areas of special interest: masculinity, and eunuchism. What can we expect from the conference on gender studies (GeMANE) hosted in Malta this April? And what is the context of assyriology in Malta?

    0:37 Introducing Ellie
    2:56 the importance of studying gender
    5:39 current trends
    8:59 gender beyond only women
    11:54 masculinities
    16:21 eunuchs
    23:58 organising GeMANE
    27:15 assyriology in Malta
    29:38 public engagement

    Omar's Academia
    Omar's university page

    GeMANE 6

    Music by Ruba Hillawi

    Website: http://wedgepod.org
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
    Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
    Twitter: @wedge_pod
    Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod
    Show more Show less
    36 mins
  • 64. Ali Kadhem Ghanem: Managing the site of Ur

    64. Ali Kadhem Ghanem: Managing the site of Ur
    Mar 6 2024

    The site of Ur is easily one of the most important in Iraq. In this interview, originally recorded in late 2021, we hear from the person responsible for managing that site. Ali talks about Ur's significance, and its role in local life. What are the plans for the development of this key site?

    4:18 introducing Lina
    7:02 importance of Ur
    7:34 what tourists can see
    8:39 information for visitors
    9:12 what Ur means to Iraqis
    10:15 excavations
    11:04 site conservation
    11:49 future of tourism
    12:19 cultural activities
    13:41 the Pope's visit
    16:42 future projects
    18:10 website for Ur
    19:00 how Ali became interested in archaeology
    20:14 advice for students now
    22:12 reasons for optimism
    24:24 closing thoughts

    This interview was originally recorded in September 2021, in Arabic. The interview was conducted by Lina Meerchyad and translated into English by her. The text is spoken by her and Terry Birkett.

    New website for the site of Ur

    Music by Ruba Hillawi

    Website: http://wedgepod.org
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
    Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
    Twitter: @wedge_pod
    Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod
    Show more Show less
    29 mins
  • 63: Enrique Jiménez: the electronic Babylonian Library

    63: Enrique Jiménez: the electronic Babylonian Library
    Feb 3 2024

    Enrique introduces us to a major new resource in digital assyriology: The electronic Babylonian Library. What does it offer and what are its aims? He discusses the issues facing the field and the potential of digital tools, including AI, to help solve them. To what extent can Babylonian literature be reconstructed now, and what we can do with it?

    2:08 what is the eBL?
    4:59 how much Babylonian literature do we have?
    6:16 the non-literary fragments
    10:27 why launch now?
    11:50 what's the reaction / impact?
    15:05 what's the significance of eBL for your research on literature?
    18:14 what happens to eBL when the project funding ends?
    19:11 how does eBL relate to other digital resources?
    22:02 impact of AI
    23:56 long term goals

    eBL website

    Enrique's university page
    Enrique's Academia page


    Music by Ruba Hillawi

    Website: http://wedgepod.org
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
    Email: wedgepod@gmail.com
    Twitter: @wedge_pod
    Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod
    Show more Show less
    32 mins
Art World
Show more Show less

What listeners say about Thin End of the Wedge

Average customer ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
No Reviews are Available