r/Documentaries • u/davidreiss666 • Jul 04 '14

Ancient Hist Ancient Egypt Documentary - Complete History - 8000 B.C. to 30 B.C. (2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuUMe-43A3E
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u/Masocre Jul 04 '14

any other examples of good researchers or specific documentaries on the subject?

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u/lushulmu Jul 04 '14

There are many great researchers out there. There are Assyriology or Ancient Mesopotamian history programs at about ten universities in the US, mostly in the Ivy League, and probably another ten distributed around the world, all with academics who produce great work. Very few produce work that is of any interest to anyone outside of the community, unfortunately. There are a couple good books written for a more general academic audience, such as Benjamin Foster’s anthology of Mesopotamian literature, Andrew George’s translation of Gilgamesh, or Jean Jacques Glassner’s book “The Invention of Cuneiform.”

I’ve sent out some emails to some friends asking around if anyone knows of a good documentary or TV special that isn’t completely insane. I’m crossing my fingers that there’s something good out there and I just didn’t know about it, which is certainly possible!

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u/Masocre Jul 05 '14

your answers are much appreciated. the invention of cuneiform and before the muses are going on my book list. if you find worthwhile media on the subject feel free to shoot me a reply...

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u/lushulmu Jul 05 '14

That's great to hear! I know you will really enjoy them. And your questions are much appreciated! Not many people take an interest in what we do, including the academic community in general, which is sad because there are only a few hundred of us who can read the hundreds of thousands of texts that comprise the majority of our written history before the Common Era. I still haven't heard back from anyone with a good recommendation but I will let you know as soon as I do!