The first video is produced by Annenberg Media as part of their "Invitation to World Literature" series. While definitely cheesy at parts and some imagery is incorrect (i.e., the blue gateway shown is the Ishtar Gate from Babylon, not Uruk), the Epic of Gilgamesh video is fascinating for showing the pure excitement Assyriologists can have in reading this ancient text (and believe you me, I didn't think they could get that giddy). At the same time, it highlights the many adaptations this story has undergone--from song to stage, and even further. Check out this Gilgamesh comic book series!
It amazes me how deeply we, in our modern age and thousands of years after this epic was written down, connect with Gilgamesh and the trials and tribulations he endures. Certainly it is a testament to the beauty of the story as a literary text and the perhaps universal human emotions of love, hate, desire, fear and loneliness. An artist friend of mine once remarked: "Art is what lasts." In this case, the Epic of Gilgamesh is art in clay and storytelling of the highest form.
Hop on over to the Epic of Gilgamesh video at Annenberg Media...
The second video comes from NOVA on PBS that aired last month. "Quest for Solomon's Mines" is certainly good, sensational TV fodder with all the usual cast of characters for archaeology of Iron Age Israel (that's 1200-586 BC). But beyond that, it is instructional and well timed to give those not familiar with all the scholarly debates about the reigns (or lack thereof) of Kings David and Solomon of biblical acclaim enough information and time to process what you are hearing. This includes some of the techniques modern archaeological projects are using like AMS carbon dating, experimental archaeology, isotope analysis, and new imagery technology. On a personal note, it is also fun to see the bit of Jordan where I excavated for a season (not at Nahas, but at another site nearby).
Watch the full episode. See more NOVA.
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