Ancient Mounds & Things

Some recent discoveries in Mesopotamia' was the subject of a public lecture by Professor D.J. Wiseman on 14 July.

Professor Wiseman, Professor of Assyriology at London University and former Joint Director at the British School of Arachaeology in Iraq, accompanied his lecture with film slides.

The Professor said that excavation work in Mesopotamia was begun by Sir Henry Lang over a century ago. However, as there are approximately 7000 ancient mounds in the area, the archaeologist's work is only just beginning. "It will, at the present rate, take 800 years to expose the city at the excavation site on which I am working," Professor Wiseman said.

He showed illustrations of pre-classical art which, the Professor said, indicated the sources of ancient Greek culture. One specific discovery mentioned was that of a Babylonian account of Alexander the Great's entry into the City. Discoveries such as this, said Professor Wiseman, would alter many notions about Mesopotamia.