4,700 YEAR OLD TAVERN in Iraq is gateway to Life, Trade, War & Empire in ancient Sumer.

Recent headlines have celebrated the finding of a 5,000 year old tavern in Iraq, complete with oven, fridge, food and evidence of beer drinking.
But is that the whole story? Not even close.
That would be like saying that Star Wars is the story of a young man with a droid and an old man with a beard walking into a bar and having a quiet drink. The End.
Are we saying that the tavern found in ancient Iraq was like the cantina in Mos Eisley spaceport on Tatooine?
No.
Are we saying that this tavern is a gateway to a whole other world of discovery, of ancient great cities, of trade, alien language and culture and - dare I say it? - Empire Wars?
Oh yes 😊.
Help us make our next film, GÖBEKLI TEPE to STONEHENGE at ...
🟡 BUY ME A COFFEE: www.buymeacoffee.com/prehisto...
If you want to show some love to the Prehistory Guys but don't want the commitment of a monthly subscription (see Patreon link below), you can make a one off donation by following the link above. All single donations go to our current project: GÖBEKLI TEPE to STONEHENGE
🔴 PATREON: / theprehistoryguys
We have a friendly and enthusiastic Patreon community helping us create our content through monthly subscription. Get access to exclusive (ad-free!) content, be on the inside track of what we're up to and help us build the channel.
WEBSITE: theprehistoryguys.uk
Facebook: / theprehistoryguys
Twitter: / prehistoryguys
Instagram: / prehistoryguys

Пікірлер: 117

  • @g3heathen209
    @g3heathen209 Жыл бұрын

    "Gilgamesh was here" carved on the bar.

  • @larkljc

    @larkljc

    Жыл бұрын

    You win the Interwebs today , Sir!!!

  • @bruninhamrso

    @bruninhamrso

    Жыл бұрын

    🤣👍

  • @roxiepoe9586
    @roxiepoe9586 Жыл бұрын

    I studied art history and earned my degree in geography - which led to my fascination with all things old, quite old, very old, and profoundly old. I love your work as it is an easy entry to even more rabbit holes to fall down!

  • @ThePrehistoryGuys

    @ThePrehistoryGuys

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @stevorobo8411
    @stevorobo8411 Жыл бұрын

    I also served in Iraq in '03 🇮🇶🇬🇧 and have always wished to return and explore it's history. It is a beautiful Country ❤️

  • @johnnyjet3.1412
    @johnnyjet3.1412 Жыл бұрын

    During my tour in Iraq in '03 as a Nat'l Guard HET driver I took the tour in the City of Ur, the oldest arched doorway in the world is a little short for me (I'm only 6'3") and standing in the foundation of Abraham's house (26 rooms, most the size of closets, or similar) It occurred to me, what if Abraham is not a name but a title, and however many generations of men with that title would match the lifespan listed in THAT Book? - We can do that in the modern era France was ruled by Louis for how long?

  • @stevorobo8411

    @stevorobo8411

    Жыл бұрын

    I was there in '03 also. in Basra 🇮🇶🇬🇧 I found it to be a beautiful country and have always wished to rtn.

  • @jacobvardy

    @jacobvardy

    Жыл бұрын

    The word "Abraham" probably means "father of (something)". A popular interpretation is Father of Nations but there is little evidence. It was certainly a title of some sort.

  • @Ken_Scaletta

    @Ken_Scaletta

    Жыл бұрын

    Abraham is mythological character not a historical one.

  • @julesbc9031

    @julesbc9031

    Жыл бұрын

    That’s a good idea - thank you for sharing.

  • @beefycheesecake

    @beefycheesecake

    Жыл бұрын

    Interesting idea 👍

  • @nodarkthings
    @nodarkthings Жыл бұрын

    When I hear tavern I immediately imagine a crowded dark room filled with characters from different places with tales to tell. My imagination races!

  • @rosemarycrane5137

    @rosemarycrane5137

    Жыл бұрын

    Mine as well!!

  • @RogerWKnight

    @RogerWKnight

    Жыл бұрын

    My experience with taverns is that while I have met interesting people with interesting stories, most of the time I just meet folks who get too drunk or obnoxious. The ones who aren't usually want to be left alone to eat and drink in peace.

  • @arkaig1

    @arkaig1

    4 ай бұрын

    I first thought of that story [oldest joke?] about the dog in the Sumerian tavern and said Oh no not again. Isn't that what the dog said in the story? :)

  • @helenhershtjader5759
    @helenhershtjader5759 Жыл бұрын

    Exploring efficiency in the human experiment. Someone’s got a great kabob - they lead a team making them all day long. Someone’s a textile maker - ditto. With great archeology, it feels like we are dropping into their scene. Any indications of the calamity causing the dishes to spill? Earthquake? Invasion?Well done. Love the time travel!

  • @george46light
    @george46light Жыл бұрын

    The history of the (daily) life of normal folks is so intriguing. Thanks for "digging" into this!

  • @michaellewis7959
    @michaellewis7959 Жыл бұрын

    I had just read an article on this very discovery and this just was a wonderful episode

  • @ThePrehistoryGuys

    @ThePrehistoryGuys

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Michael!

  • @TheWonderwy
    @TheWonderwy Жыл бұрын

    👍💕❤😊 Was just reading about this find earlier today! Love watching you two and enjoy your spin. Thank you.

  • @ThePrehistoryGuys

    @ThePrehistoryGuys

    Жыл бұрын

    Awesome! Thank you!

  • @maggiemaloney8599
    @maggiemaloney8599 Жыл бұрын

    This is wonderfully interesting. We focus our study of history on empire, forgetting that no empire could exist without the ordinary people who make it up. It gives us a grandiose concept of history and divorces us from the understanding that humans are and always have been far more alike than we are different. Any one of us could sit down in that ancient "pub" with great familiarity.

  • @JHaven-lg7lj

    @JHaven-lg7lj

    Жыл бұрын

    It’s extraordinary, isn’t it? And I’d love to read the report itself, if I could make myself a flow chart to track all the layers. What a wonderful site

  • @basilbrushbooshieboosh5302
    @basilbrushbooshieboosh5302 Жыл бұрын

    First time on your channel. Great stuff guys. There's such a dearth of entertaining and information packed shows on KZread about archaeology and pre-history. I'm heartily pleased to subscribe and have your shows come streaming in. Cheers.

  • @ThePrehistoryGuys

    @ThePrehistoryGuys

    Жыл бұрын

    Welcome to you! Thanks for your kind words M😊

  • @fredwood1490
    @fredwood1490 Жыл бұрын

    Actually, it sounds a lot like Ank-Morpork!

  • @dougniergarth236
    @dougniergarth236 Жыл бұрын

    As a fan of drinking establishments, I find it wonderful that you could have walked in, lay down a turnip or bag of grain in exchange for a pint or two of fine beverage.

  • @RogerWKnight

    @RogerWKnight

    Жыл бұрын

    We don't accept American Express.

  • @elizabethmcglothlin5406
    @elizabethmcglothlin5406 Жыл бұрын

    The story of travelers in history. How wonderful!

  • @lindasue8719
    @lindasue8719 Жыл бұрын

    17:53 I thought this was more Star wars humour 😆 "We're going to all be one"/"we're going to Obi Wan"

  • @janetmackinnon3411
    @janetmackinnon3411 Жыл бұрын

    Oh, I had forgotten that today was a Thursday! Joy unbridled!

  • @jenniferharrison4319
    @jenniferharrison4319 Жыл бұрын

    Fascinating. Makes you wonder what happened to cause the bowls to be left with food in them especially if it is thought they fell of a shelf 🤔

  • @MichaelMikeTheRussianBot

    @MichaelMikeTheRussianBot

    Жыл бұрын

    That is what I've been wondering since I first read of this. Earthquake? War? Sudden death of the proprietor? Foreclosure?

  • @lenabreijer1311

    @lenabreijer1311

    Жыл бұрын

    At the bottom of nine levels. Which means 9 times the area was destroyed and built over.

  • @jenniferharrison4319

    @jenniferharrison4319

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes, the area is earthquake prone. Obviously nobody returned to the building to clear up the damage so maybe it collapsed. Recent tragic events have shown what earthquakes can do to buildings. People would just level the area and rebuild

  • @abisu5273

    @abisu5273

    Жыл бұрын

    My money's on an earthquake which covered the room in sand or similar , so the food was not taken by scavengers and bacteria

  • @RogerWKnight

    @RogerWKnight

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MichaelMikeTheRussianBot Closed down for lack of business? The business cycle went into recession mode?

  • @fredwood1490
    @fredwood1490 Жыл бұрын

    Don't ya love it when old Nerds really get into it?!

  • @eyemallears2647

    @eyemallears2647

    Жыл бұрын

    Not old…… mature!

  • @nilcarborundum7001

    @nilcarborundum7001

    Жыл бұрын

    "old" is a matter of mind-set, and these two ain't it.

  • @fredwood1490

    @fredwood1490

    Жыл бұрын

    @@nilcarborundum7001 I suspect they, like most of us Boomers, really enjoy being old, considering how many of our fellows lost that option. Field work can be extremely dangerous. Also hard on the knees and back.

  • @ChrisBV
    @ChrisBV Жыл бұрын

    Lagash is near the Federation of Elam, which pre-existed the Sumerian move into Mesopotamia from what is now the Persian Gulf around 4,000 BCE. Elam is mentioned in Genesis as collecting tribute from Sodom and Gemorrah. Until we find names to match the Genesis account, we can't date the story of Sodom and Gemorrah, since they may be a combination of legends; Elam being chosen because it was known to be older than Sumer.

  • @autumnjoy5941
    @autumnjoy5941 Жыл бұрын

    Hospitality for passengers along the silk road

  • @ChrisBV
    @ChrisBV Жыл бұрын

    "Who is the king? Who is not the king...". From the King book after 100 years of drought.

  • @nilcarborundum7001
    @nilcarborundum7001 Жыл бұрын

    Pretty much like real life… which is wonderful. Who needs Star Wars when you've got a decent pub on the corner? Massive brick oven & clay shard fridge both sound very promising. Who'd have thought how much you can do with the plain earth right beneath our feet? (Well, contemorary ceramicists would). Are you going to visit this place on your travels? If you do, order a "geo.fizz" just for me, if you're into cocktails. I'll see you right for a pint or three when we get the chance.

  • @SandraNelson063
    @SandraNelson063 Жыл бұрын

    I wish I could talk to the bar staff. If they were worth their hire, they could put a tasty meal in front of their regulars , along with the RIGHT brew. Keeping your regulars happy is KEY to a full cash box. They would have an eye out for occasionals needing or offering information. They would know who was selling what for how much. Or who was in hot pursuit of other cargo for whatever they could get it for. A tavern is a whirlwind of commerce.

  • @jillosullivan400
    @jillosullivan400 Жыл бұрын

    Excellent indeed and quite fascinating. Thanks guys

  • @christmasmoore6880
    @christmasmoore6880 Жыл бұрын

    Must read more about this. Sounds like an exciting site -- so many layers. It's so satisfying to hear how the regular folks lived. I can just picture archaeologists in another 5000 years finding the ubiquitous Dunkin' Donuts all around the northeastern US, and getting just as excited.

  • @Sonata675

    @Sonata675

    Жыл бұрын

    In 5000 years the coffee cups will have such uniformity that archeologists will wonder if they are religious offerings for cultic worship. They will be half right, lol.

  • @weethree2070

    @weethree2070

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Sonata675 I always think of the television screens still dominating everyone's living room as the contemporary form of a home altar… where we sit each night, receiving with passive awe the oracles and the "wisdom" of those up above us.

  • @stevorobo8411
    @stevorobo8411 Жыл бұрын

    That intro was spectacular Michael 👌

  • @ThePrehistoryGuys

    @ThePrehistoryGuys

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you kindly!

  • @radstar2185
    @radstar2185 Жыл бұрын

    I've been hoping you would start covering this stuff. It's really the origins of everything, from maths to cuneiform and more. 👍

  • @chrisdooley1184
    @chrisdooley1184 Жыл бұрын

    This is utterly fascinating guys. Thx for sharing your thoughts and showing us the photos from the site. I absolutely love prehistory and find the city states from this time period utterly amazing. The photo of those beaten metal plates for food, having sat there for thousands of years was really a treat Edit: my terrible spelling

  • @madderhat5852
    @madderhat5852 Жыл бұрын

    Just back from Orkney . Amazing stuff. Remember Star Wars Tatooine was filmed in Tataouine in Tunisia. Home of Carthage and the Phoenician empire. An amazing place.Even in it's own time , Lagash was a very famous city/state

  • @holeshothunter5544
    @holeshothunter5544 Жыл бұрын

    Without powered transport there is little bustle. Everybody walked. BTW there is a city, a real one, about 15 km from Gobekli Tepe. It is called Sanilurfa or just Urfa, or 'the City of Abraham' Extremely ancient dwellings and a granary were found under the town center during diggings for mass transit. I was at GT in '99.

  • @forestdwellerresearch6593
    @forestdwellerresearch6593 Жыл бұрын

    That's exactly what we need here and now. A decent Sumerian pub where we can just relax, drink mead and eat goat's testicles.

  • @helenamcginty4920

    @helenamcginty4920

    Жыл бұрын

    Oh dear. No proper british food like lamb fries and mead?

  • @nilcarborundum7001

    @nilcarborundum7001

    Жыл бұрын

    @@helenamcginty4920 no tofu & kale with decaf green tea, neither… or so it seems.

  • @forestdwellerresearch6593

    @forestdwellerresearch6593

    Жыл бұрын

    No, the poor lower income Sumerians had to make do with pickled goat testicles or deep fried hyena tail.

  • @Mrch33ky
    @Mrch33ky Жыл бұрын

    Very interesting. I wasn't going to support the channel but your consistently excellent content has changed my mind. Coffees incoming. Cheers.😉

  • @gruboniell4189
    @gruboniell4189 Жыл бұрын

    Imagine what they were doing with water flows and locks and water gates…. 👀 masters of water movement

  • @nilcarborundum7001

    @nilcarborundum7001

    Жыл бұрын

    aye, a very relevant comment on the movement of small waters, I think - as someone (from Vermont, as it happens) once said to me, in the pub: you don't ever buy beer, you just rent it.

  • @wiretamer5710
    @wiretamer5710 Жыл бұрын

    Beautifully written and produced narrative. The fertile cresent is a honey pot for archeologists because we have this parrallel data set from the written history, that trumps Roman Britain in its resolution. Its an ideal situation for calibrating the contextual value of modern archeological techniques. The most encouraging thing is the archeology is so vast, that two centuries of industrial scale plundering have not destroyed everything.

  • @ThePrehistoryGuys

    @ThePrehistoryGuys

    Жыл бұрын

    That's a useful insight. Thank you! M😊

  • @Will-SFC06
    @Will-SFC06 Жыл бұрын

    Keep up the insightful discussions.

  • @nilcarborundum7001
    @nilcarborundum7001 Жыл бұрын

    great Intro, Michael!

  • @ThePrehistoryGuys

    @ThePrehistoryGuys

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Sibylle! M😊

  • @pencilpauli9442
    @pencilpauli9442 Жыл бұрын

    I like how you mentioned Star Wars, and then commented that Sargon of Akkad said, "Let's all be Wan Kenobi". Which sounds like a single themed Bronze Age cosplay convention. I may or may not have misheard.

  • @badgerpa9
    @badgerpa9 Жыл бұрын

    Very informative, nice video./ Thank you Gents.

  • @ThePrehistoryGuys

    @ThePrehistoryGuys

    Жыл бұрын

    Our pleasure!

  • @bardmadsen6956
    @bardmadsen6956 Жыл бұрын

    They were very advanced, such as a law that held tavern owners responsible for over serving alcohol to patrons. Also women's rights, slaves to be free after seven years, postal system, legal system, etc. Guess the new cylinder seals will be kept behind the firewalls of Archaeologists' openness.

  • @gaufrid1956
    @gaufrid1956Ай бұрын

    I wonder what a pub meal and a beer or two or three in that tavern was like? People have always enjoyed things like this.

  • @jasperowens
    @jasperowens Жыл бұрын

    Are you guys getting younger?..... I'm watching you.

  • @laurap6534
    @laurap6534Ай бұрын

    Excellent use of star wars imagery

  • @Phoenix5365
    @Phoenix5365 Жыл бұрын

    Meet in the pub, get food and drinks, gather your party for the next adventure...

  • @sonjicarajkovic5508
    @sonjicarajkovic5508 Жыл бұрын

    Love this channel but this was a difficult episode to watch, there was a a high pitch tone that would kick in when when Michael stopped talking. 🙉

  • @williammeyer214
    @williammeyer214 Жыл бұрын

    And another live music venue no doubt

  • @ThePrehistoryGuys

    @ThePrehistoryGuys

    Жыл бұрын

    kzread.info/dash/bejne/npxnx5uGj9mYiKQ.html You're welcome! 😊

  • @nonFireresist
    @nonFireresist Жыл бұрын

    If you really want to open that Pandora's box, ask the one Irving Finkel to appear in the show... :-D

  • @JustSpectre

    @JustSpectre

    Жыл бұрын

    He will appear at Megalithomania conference where Prehistory Guys appeared previous year, although only on-line. Irving Finkel is a legend and he succeeded where most of his colleagues failed - making ancient history fascinating.

  • @themaninthecape1887
    @themaninthecape1887 Жыл бұрын

    With the discovery of a tavern that would suggest they used currency, what currency would that be & has any been found ?

  • @kernowmaid5970
    @kernowmaid5970 Жыл бұрын

    So amazing,

  • @patricksaucier1203
    @patricksaucier1203 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @ThePrehistoryGuys

    @ThePrehistoryGuys

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much Patrick!!

  • @chimknee
    @chimknee Жыл бұрын

    Thanks.

  • @demetos5432
    @demetos5432 Жыл бұрын

    Why do academics and archaeologist always dismiss the kings list ?? There is NO way of disproving this list and there are always grains of truth woven into old stories and events to make them easier to remember.

  • @gortnz
    @gortnz Жыл бұрын

    Ancient canal boat tavern crawl!

  • @waltonsmith7210
    @waltonsmith7210 Жыл бұрын

    Points to you for remembering the Iran Iraq War happened.

  • @abisu5273
    @abisu5273 Жыл бұрын

    If history is defined by the presence of a written record, who's to say they didn't exist before the known record and were destroyed or decayed. Most wood wasn't preserved in the British prehistoric climate, so why would paper? There's so much talk now about the travels of peoples in those times. I find it hard to believe that they didn't keep journals and draw maps and suchlike.

  • @deormanrobey892
    @deormanrobey892 Жыл бұрын

    Is there a dart board?

  • @ThePrehistoryGuys

    @ThePrehistoryGuys

    Жыл бұрын

    I'd lay bets on what we call the Royal Game of Ur though!

  • @deormanrobey892

    @deormanrobey892

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ThePrehistoryGuys 😁

  • @rossr6616
    @rossr6616 Жыл бұрын

    early "multi-level" marketing began there I suppose....

  • @gruboniell4189
    @gruboniell4189 Жыл бұрын

    I love u guys and I love Randall Carlson. I love Graham Hancocks work on the Americas too as it’s america and they just so cocky that a British writer ruffled their feathers so much 😂

  • @jenniferharrison4319

    @jenniferharrison4319

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes, the Guys and Randall are the best 👍

  • @waltonsmith7210

    @waltonsmith7210

    Жыл бұрын

    He didnt really ruffle their feathers so much as annoy them by consistently saying wrong and dumb things.

  • @gruboniell4189

    @gruboniell4189

    Жыл бұрын

    @@waltonsmith7210 so was the fake skull in the Smithsonian. There’s lots of ridiculous mainstream ideas. For instance the way primates floated over a raft with fruit on it to South America.. but not humans …

  • @romullen3971
    @romullen3971 Жыл бұрын

    👍

  • @Watcher1852
    @Watcher1852 Жыл бұрын

    DO U USE PAYPAL AT ALL I DO NOT USE A CREDIT CARD, I HAVE EMAILED U ABOUT THIS

  • @nukhetyavuz
    @nukhetyavuz10 ай бұрын

    were the brick ovens used like "tandir"? then,the sites must have been turkish...with "tandir" brick ovens for bread,the whole turkish world culture bakes their tandir bread all over the world...the inhabitants must have been prototurks...

  • @lazzymclandrover4447
    @lazzymclandrover4447 Жыл бұрын

    Obi Wan Bottobi... lol

  • @cork..
    @cork.. Жыл бұрын

    Did someone say the bottom end? HELLO BOYS IVE MISSED YOU! I hope you still think of me when you talk about quoits.

  • @ThePrehistoryGuys

    @ThePrehistoryGuys

    Жыл бұрын

    YAY! Great to see you! How ya doing? 😊

  • @cork..

    @cork..

    Жыл бұрын

    @The Prehistory Guys I've been very very not good but I'm finally recovering and happy to still be alive. Hopefully I can make your next live stream

  • @cargilekm
    @cargilekm Жыл бұрын

    Maybe armies instead of police force. Cheers

  • @user-ru3ql6ji4p
    @user-ru3ql6ji4p9 ай бұрын

    Sumer's McDonald's.

  • @aposyl7110
    @aposyl7110 Жыл бұрын

    It always fascinates me that no matter how dramatic, terrible, or surprising- the English ALWAYS speak in an even kilter tone.... When World War 3 breaks out, or when the World Economic Forum force us to get Brain microchips for "Brain Transparency " (this IS real and is planned on) I want these to English Gentlemen to narrate the Apocalypse!!! In an English accent: You have 45 minutes left until impact, well- that was a good run..... pray if you want ... not much good it'll do now- but if it makes you feel better you'll disappear in a blink of an eye..... near painless . Or- (same English accent) Please keep your hands to your sides while waiting for Your brain chip...... just imagine Google advertising in your dreams, Kings and rulers- cops and tyrants now can know everything you do anytime...... this is for highest good, this is how you show your a good citizen! Submit, surrender, stay calm.....good servant! Hahahahaha. Love your channel guys

  • @fonce9965
    @fonce996511 ай бұрын

    The misnamed (last ice age) was a nuclear winter & please tell me where the descendants of the Psychopaths who blew their children's future to smithereens would meet to discuss what the HELL their parents were THINKING? THAT'S RIGHT, A TAVERN!

  • @fonce9965

    @fonce9965

    11 ай бұрын

    Long-term desertification is an aftereffect of a nuclear blast. Shoch & West are right, Egypt was a lush jungle paradise when the Sphinx was built. The Pyramids are self-powered "Brown's Gas" generating stations built to decontaminate the surface of Earth from nuclear fallout. There is not even background radiation within 1,200 meters of them.

  • @fonce9965

    @fonce9965

    11 ай бұрын

    It is all written in the "Emerald Tablets of Thoth" the Atlantean Giant who built the Great Pyramid at GIZA. The tablets are being held (HOSTAGE) by the Pope (antichrist) within the Vatican Archives!

  • @fonce9965

    @fonce9965

    11 ай бұрын

    I cast the curse of Sedna upon the Pope, all of his predecessors, & everyone who succeeds them without returning the Emerald Tablets to the future generations who are ABOUT to REPEAT their ancestor's WORST crimes & transgressions!!!!!!!

  • @dermotmccorkell663
    @dermotmccorkell663 Жыл бұрын

    Always looking for funding. Poor