Archaeology Now presents Great Discoveries of Medicine: Ancient Mesopotamian Medicine with Dr. Irving Finkel and Dr. Peter Hotez

Archaeology Now presents Great Discoveries of Medicine: Ancient Mesopotamian Medicine with Dr. Irving Finkel, part of its Legacy Series: Who We Are is What We Were. This luncheon event at The Health Museum features London-based Finkel—a philologist and Assyriologist with the British Museum—on a fascinating journey through time to explore ancient Mesopotamian healing practices, innovative techniques, and enduring medical ideas. Tickets are now available.

Following his talk, Dr. Finkel will be joined by world-renowned physician-scientist Dr. Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D., for a conversation comparing cutting-edge medicine in the ancient world with that of today. Dr. Hotez, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, is best known for his leadership in developing coronavirus vaccines and his prominent role in global public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Together, Finkel and Hotez promise to enlighten, educate, and entertain as they contrast ancient wisdom with modern science. For instance, ancient Mesopotamian healers prescribed plant-based salves and incantations, blending empirical observation with spiritual practice.

Although no human remains or plant materials survive from that era, most of what we know about Mesopotamian medicine comes from cuneiform tablets—providing rare and invaluable insight into the medical practices of one of the world’s earliest civilizations.