The First Ghosts: Most Ancient of Legacies

by Irving Finkel

Ghosts - the spirits of the dead - have walked by our side since time immemorial.

In The First Ghosts, author Irving Finkel looks at ghosts from a standpoint quite different to that of most spectral literature. Drawing on evidence from the very earliest pre-human archaeology and the very earliest writing and literature, Finkel suggests that belief in and experience of ghosts emerges as a central component of humanity since its inception.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Mythology, Ancient History, Paranormal, Anthropology, Religion

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2021

About the author

Irving Leonard Finkel, Ph.D. (Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1976; B.A., Ancient
New Eastern Studies, University of Birmingham, 1969), is a British philologist and Assyriologist. He has served as Assistant Keeper in the Department of Western Asiatic Antiquities at the British Museum since 1979. As such, he is the curator in charge of cuneiform inscriptions on tablets of clay from ancient Mesopotamia, of which the Middle East Department has the largest collection—some 130,000 pieces—of any modern museum. He also is an author of fiction for children, and in 2007 co-founded The Great Diary Project.

Reviews

[Thibault Busschots · Rating 4 out of 5]

What kind of ghost stories were told in ancient times? That's the question this book tries to answer, breathing new life into those ghost stories of old. This book looks at all the actual physical evidence we have of people describing ghosts in our ancient history. This is an archeological ghost hunt done right.


We start with burying rituals from early Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens. This is done to show us that people have believed that something survives after death for a very long time, long before mankind first started writing about ghosts. We then turn our attention to the oldest clay tablet describing what can be seen as a ghost. There are basically several versions of the Babylonian Flood Story. Though this one in particular – the Atra-Hasis, an 18th-century BC Akkadian epic - speaks of the creation of the human spirit. When a person dies, their flesh and blood returns to clay but their etemmu (spirit) lives on.


We get to read about how ghosts were part of everyday life in ancient times and many were treated with sympathy and respect. We learn how people in ancient times classified their ghosts. The book goes into great detail regarding this. It ranges from good ghosts to evil ghosts, with a lot of them in between. But also the various ways of how they dealt with ghosts, with for example incantations used by Sumerian priests. But also protective amulets and their magical anti-ghost words. After which, the book spends most of its time discussing and analyzing the big ancient stories that involve ghosts or the afterlife, like the Gilgamesh epic and The Underworld Vision of an Assyrian Prince.


When reading this book, it feels like you’re sitting in front of a cozy fire. A friendly grandfatherly figure slowly but passionately tells you all about his lifelong passion for archeology, showing you how fascinating history can be if you open yourself up to it. On one hand, this is a fairly relaxing reading experience with a wealth of fascinating ancient stories and anecdotes with a lot of interesting details. On the other hand, it’s a very slow and long ride that does require you to take your time and pay attention if you want to enjoy it for what it is and soak up all that fascinating ancient knowledge it has to offer.


Learning more about these ancient civilizations by itself is very interesting. Though looking for ghosts in their writing adds something new to the topic and gives this book just that little extra touch. It’s a new way of looking at those ancient civilizations, a fresh and interesting perspective. And that’s something that does elevate the book for me. It can be a bit of a dry and academical book, but it’s an easily accessible academical read. So don’t be afraid to try it if you want to give it a shot.

[Maitreyi Sanadhya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm currently writing a paper on the discrepancy between Mesopotamian Bronze Age grave goods and the literary depiction of the afterlife, and this book was very informative as a starting point. The geographical exploration of Sumerian vs Akkadian afterlife was unique and was even mapped out. Irving Finkel's take on an omen text's relation to Ishtar's descent into the netherworld was also incredible, although I wish the Akkadian was expounded upon so we could see what manipulation was involved when reinterpreting the omen. Very cool!

[Cinzia DuBois · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This is a strange book for me to review. It took me a long time to get through, and my inability to be truly excited and engaged with the text is what dragged the rating from a potential 4 star.

It’s incredibly detailed, but sometimes to a fault. It teeters between being accessible and then alienating in its detail. For example,

“It must have been an earlier copy of this same Babylonian necromantic grimoire from which the spell and a ritual in K2779, later taken to Nineveh, where excerpted. The number of this Babylonian tablet is BM36703.” (p.235)

This is just one example of many, but for me, details like this are better suited to a footnote than the main body of text, as it broke the reading flow considerably and dragged me out of feeling like I was reading an accessible book into a technical one. There were pictures of these tablets, but they around p.163. Again, it just felt like a really clunky narrative construction that I felt was alienating from the experience of being submerged in the discussion and almost made it too clinical.

More times than not, I found myself questioning why certain points existed in a main body of text rather than a footnote, and I mean large portions of chapters would have been better suited to simplified footnotes (in my opinion).

Perhaps the writing wasn’t for me, but I certainly wasn’t captivated by the author as others were, which is a shame, but I can’t fault the research conducted for this book, nor can I fault the organisation of it.

[Kate Innes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, mind blowing, erudite and wry, I both enjoyed this and found that it has changed my view of life, as only the very best books do. Very detailed, which occasionally became a bit confusing, but not really one to read in bed (as I did), better to savour it at the desk or kitchen table, whilst considering how much and how little has changed over 4000 years.

[Dan McCollum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first became aware of Irving Finkel a few years back through the British Museum's spectacular YouTube series. Although I've watched several of his lectures since that time, I'm afraid this is the first of his books which I've read - a sad mistake on my part that I shall soon rectify.

"The First Ghosts" is a deeply informative look at an important aspect of Mesopotamiam civilization. It examines the the way in which people might interact (willingly or not) with the ghosts of the dead and the impact that this had on their lives. It also explores those professionals who were called upon to deal with ghosts on a regular basis, as well as looks at views on the netherworld.

And did I mention that it's fun? Finkle is one of those rare academics (and I write this as an academic myself; though one who is a novice in this field) who can write deeply informative prose while still having a sense of humor. His writing seems to embody that very British quality that is oft times called 'glibbness.' More than once I found myself sending snippets which I (at least) found to be funny and interesting at the same time.

This is an amazing work and I can't suggest it enough for those interested in Mesopotamia, the History of Magic and, of course, ghosts.

[Kevin Fraleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully readable, scholarly, and even humorous. Finkel provides a much needed reminder that our ancestors--like five to seven millennia ago--weren't crude and ignorant savages, but had sophisticated cultures and belief systems that provided many of the seed beliefs for Judeo-Christian religious traditions. Well worth the read, and you don't need to interpret cuneiform to enjoy it!

[Pam Baddeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unusual book this; it has a lot of interesting information but the style of the book tends to detract a bit from this. There's an occasional jokey style which came across as out of place. I also found some gaps in the information put across: for example, it would have been useful to have a short potted history of the various civilisations discussed so as to be able to picture more clearly the progression of the Mesopotamian ghost-remedies. I have in the past read about Gilgamesh and I think anyone who came to this book without having any knowledge might have found it more hard to follow.

The colour plates are fine apart from references to images which are really difficult to pick out. One did helpful have a version with a white line around the lines of the drawing and this would have been good for the others.

The information about the Mesopotamian attitude to the afterlife - a sort of waiting area where the scarce resource of human spirits were 'parked' until needed to animate a baby - something the writer describes as recycling rather than reincarnation - was interesting, being so different to, for example, the contemporaneous Egyptian afterlife. Overall, I would rate this at 3 stars.

[Klara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Irving Finkle is always a delight, but then again I will watch his lectures anytime so I’m biased. With chapters titled things like “The Delicate Art of Necromancy” and anything Gilgamesh it can’t go wrong for me though. His narration is also great, and the other two voice actors reading the quotes from the tablets was good.

The one reservation I have is that it’s a lot to take in, and since I listen to audiobooks while doing chores and stuff I sometimes lost track of what was being said, in particular for the earlier chapters listing spells and divinations. Also, I sometimes lost track when the cuneiform tablets was quoted and there were parts missing from the tablets and that might be easier to read instead of listening to? But that is mostly on me and I think I will enjoy listening to it again in the future.

[Nathan Specht · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely and interesting audiobook about how ghosts first appeared in human texts, and all of the super weird rituals and things like that people would partake in to hopefully not be haunted/cursed. Eventually I’ll probably listen to this again!

[Vasilis St. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting subject occasionally ruined by the writing style of the author. Some examples will suffice: "This would all make sense if That Woman both deterred ghostly attention as a moving prophylactic device and, simultaneously, was thought to absorb the evil into herself, like certain anti-mosquito devices" or "The great mass of unstoppable utukk u demonic elements that troubled the human race, however, came up freely from the Netherworld and were reluctantly sent back to the Netherworld by the magic powers of exorcists, where they regrouped, recharged their batteries and received instructions for new forays like fighter-pilot units" or "Ur-Namma reminds me, in this composition, of Al Capone".

[Josie Awwad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook, and first things first, I am in awe of Irving Finkel. He is such a passionate and animated individual. I definitely gave this an extra star just for his entertaining reading of this book, otherwise it would have only been 2 stars.

The contents of the book is very thorough, lots of information about Sumerian and Babylonians folklore. Although Finkel speaks with lots of whimsy I think this would have been a very dry book to read, so I am quite glad I got to listen to it instead.

[Gaby Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating research presented in an entertaining way

[Siri Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The First Ghosts is a thorough evaluation and discussion of beliefs about ghosts and the afterlife in the early cuneiform area, meaning primarily Ancient Sumer and Assyria. The author uses a combination of written sources and insights from archaeology, though with an emphasis on the former. There is a good discussion of the differences between texts written as practical guidance (such as manuals on how to summon or exorcise a ghost) and more literary accounts, including how the netherworld is portrayed in big classics such as The Epic of Gilgamesh. The book is written in an academic but also witty tone, which I think adds a nice touch of humour to the reading experience. I did find that some chapters felt a bit disorganised at times, but I am inclined to consider that a natural consequence of working with very fragmentary material. Overall, The First Ghosts is an interesting and informative book on a fascinating subject, covering ancient cultures which are often overlooked outside of academia.

[Ira Therebel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghosts and after life are something that is part of all cultures and what people believed into throughout history. In this book Irving Finkel takes us all he way back to ancient Mesopotamia many centuries bc where ghosts have been first mentioned.

Back then they were a regular part of everyday life and something people believed in without questioning. Using archeological findings Irvin Finkel talks about things like burial rituals and analyses writings on ancient tablets to give us a better idea of what the beliefs of that time were and what role ghosts played in people's lives. It is an interesting topic itself. I had some trouble getting concentrated in some parts but overall really liked the book and enjoyed reading it and learning more about afterlife beliefs from such a distant past. If you are interested in this topic I definitely recommend it. But I must say there is more about the afterlife world than about ghosts. I would have liked it even more if there would be more about ghosts and what role they played in the everyday lives of people and society back then.

[Dave Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a good deal of fun with this one. The thesis is simple: belief in and experiences of ghosts has been around for as long as we have records of humanity, giving us ample reason to believe they are rooted in true history (whatever lens we interpret it through). The evidence is in fact overwhelming to this end, and the justification for this thesis does a great job of anchoring it in actual historical data and good logical process. It's a fascinating romp through the pages of the ancient world, and a real and fair challenge to the materialist who desires to reduce the world to something we can readily control. Even if you don't draw the precise conclusions the author does (I myself take a slightly different path, albeit in a similarly spirited direciton), this is a studious and strong example of how good science and good history can awaken us to the reality of the spirit.

[Katie Livingston · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great nonfiction book to start Fall off with. While the beginning of this book is rather slow, it firmly ramps up with each consecutive chapter, leading to a profound and touching Conclusion. The topic of ghosts in the ancient world is an easy sell but this book keeps you interested for the whole time!

This author is so deeply personable and chatty with the audience - which is my preferred way to learn new topics or revisit favorite ones. The tone is familiar and humorous and I love authors who clearly just love humanity and all our eccentricities.

[Tania Barkhuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why do we believe in ghosts? What do ancient texts tell us about the beginning of that belief? How are ancient tales and myths of gods related to stories of ghosts. Fascinating insight in our superstition or are they real? Loved it!

[Kathy Allard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 or 4.5 stars
Yeah, nothing like waiting literally several months to write a review. This book is fun, interesting, a bit heavy going at times, and has many LOL lines due to what was written by the original writers on their cuneiform tablets, due to the author's commentary on the tablets, and due to his delivery (the audiobook is narrated by the author, Dr Finkel). Dr F does occasionally do some snorting and lip smacking (And who likes either of those? Not me.), but he also rolls his Rrrrs and has some other amusing vocal tics.

Recommended!

[Mary-Elizabeth Clinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joyous read, Dr Finkel wears his erudition lightly. He treats the reader as an equal and his enthusiasm is contagious. I loved this book.

[Andrea Hickman Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far more academic than I had expected, but really interesting.

I did not like the two additional narrators who read the ancient texts. The male narrator sounds like the guy who read The Lord of the Rings, which kept distracting me because I expected hobbits and elves. The female narrator was way too loud compared to the main narrator and I had to be constantly adjusting the volume.

[Readingtomycats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting! I may get a physical copy.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book looking at the history of belief in ghosts, the practices of dealing with them, and the views of the netherworld ranging from the earliest Sumerian records through early Judaism.

[Peter Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First Ghosts by Irving Finkel


Are there ghosts among us?

If you lived in Sumeria three thousand years ago, you would have had no doubt about the reality of ghosts. They were as common as cats, according to Dr Irving Finkel, Senior Assistant Keeper of Ancient Mesopotamian script, languages, and cultures in the Middle East Department of the British Museum. Finkel has spent a lifetime reading the cuneiform tablets left in the ruins of Sumer, Akkad, and Assyria. The tablets show that these people had a deep relationship with ghosts. Ancestral ghosts might show up if the descendants failed to provide the offerings that made existing in the Netherworld livable. There was also a long litany of ghosts who were malevolent for a variety of reasons, and who might crawl into one’s ear and bring fever and medical problems.

If you found yourself in this situation, you would want to visit an exorcist for the appropriate spell or ritual. The new-fangled practice of writing allowed the retention of these detailed rituals, and the fact that they were in cuneiform on clay tablets preserved them so that Dr. Finkel could read them thousands of years later.

Dr. Finkel shares these spells with the reader in detail. If you wanted, you might be able to set yourself up as a Sumerian exorcist, if there was a market for that sort of thing.

Finkel’s book is enjoyably written. We might expect a book of this sort to be as dry as the dust of lost Akkad, but Finkel keeps his narration lively by injecting humorous and personal anecdotes into his narrative. We learn, for example, that Dr. Finkel has an open mind about whether ghosts exist. He shares that he has spent dark nights in certain areas of the British Museum, where there have been rumors of ghostly activity, looking to see if he could catch the specters. He hasn’t been successful, but hope springs eternal. He also notes that ghost stories are universal and suggests that either there is a vast conspiracy or there are ghosts (maybe.)[1]

Finkel provides a view into the deep history of beliefs about life after death. We don’t know anything for sure prior to Sumer – which is why Sumer’s ghosts are the “first ghosts” – but we do find burial practices prior to Sumer. Initially, these might have been a matter of “waste disposal,” according to Finkel, but over time, burial practices became associated with grave goods, which imply a belief in the afterlife. Did these people have an experience with ghosts? It seems likely since this cultural trope is unlikely to have started with Sumer.

Finkel also explains the tripartite division of those who enter the Netherworld. Some are good and just and have a blessed afterlife. Most are mediocre and are kept placated by the offering of descendants. But there are those who are evil, and they are the ones most likely to cause problems in the present world.[2]

Finkel shares stories of mortals who went to the Netherworld. The trip to the Netherworld was supposed to be a one-way trip, but some mortals returned with their visions. Finkel shares an early story of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, and how Gilgamesh tricked Enkidu to travel to the underworld to find out how his mortal parents were doing in the Netherworld. Through this story, the reader learns a lot about the gods and folklore of the Ancient Near East.

In sharing information about the ghost culture of the Ancient Near East, Finkel fleshes out a dead culture. As I was reading the book, I wondered what it would be like to live with parents buried beneath the floorboard and the knowledge that I might see their spirits at any time, and that seeing their spirits would be totally normal. That past is a different country, and this is one way of appreciating the difference.

I’ve noted the similarity of the Ancient Near East ghost-culture and Catholic beliefs about the dead. The similarity might not be apparent to Protestants, who have their roots in the early Enlightenment. The distance between that culture and their culture may mean that Protestants import a foreign reading into the Bible. The world of the Bible was the world of the Ancient Near East. Finkel explains this with respect to the practice of necromancy.

In the Ancient Near East, there were male and female necromancers, who were called “ba’al ob” or “ghost master” in Hebrew. Female ghost masters called up spirits of the dead from the Earth. They were frequently associated with cultic locations. This ties in with the famous story of Saul and the “Witch of Endor.”

The “witch” is called ba’al ob, or ghost master, in the Hebrew text. Endor is the word for “Well of Generation,” which implies a source of spirits, or, perhaps, the place where spirits wait before they were required to give life to a new baby, a belief shared by pre-Hebrew Canaanites. God has denied Saul any divine insight through dreams, through the use of the urim and thumin, or through court prophets. The famous prophet Samuel has just died. Since Saul’s throne is at risk, Samuel decides to go to non-divine sources for information, namely a “ghost master” at a cultic place associated with ghosts.

The actions of the “witch of Endor” in calling forth Samuel are those found on the cuneiform tablets. A ghost rises from the ground. It is Samuel. The “witch” recognizes it as Samuel. It is not a demon. The soul of Samuel grumbles about being disturbed and accurately prophesies Saul’s ruin.

The story is a classic example of Ancient Near East necromancy involving the spirit of a dead human. Finkel explains:

Many later writers, Jewish and Christian alike, wrestling with ghosts and underworlds, have found royal necromancy at Endor quite indigestible. According to the summary of Saul’s career in the biblical 1 Chronicles 10:13, he died for being unfaithful to the LORD and, moreover, enquiring of a ghost. But in the later Deutero-canonical book of Sirach, the whole episode is thoroughly bowdlerised: Even after he [Samuel] had fallen asleep, he prophesied and made known to the king his death, and lifted up his voice from the ground in prophecy, to blot out the wickedness of the people. Sirach 46:20 (NSRV version)

Finkel, Irving. The First Ghosts: A rich history of ancient ghosts and ghost stories from the British Museum curator (p. 260). Hodder & Stoughton. Kindle Edition.

St. Robert Bellarmine finds the example of Saul and the Witch of Endor to be supportive of the doctrine of Purgatory.

Finkel further points out that the easy-going relationship with the idea that ghosts walk among us is also found in the New Testament:

By the time the New Testament was being written in Greek, the parallel exclusion of ghosts from sacred narrative is almost complete. When Jesus walked on the water, however, we are presented with the clearest evidence (respectfully emphasised below) that, nevertheless, everyday belief in ghosts was instinctive, uninhibited, and uncontrollable:

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray. When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea. He intended to pass them by. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. Gospel of Mark 6:45–50

A similar description appears in the Gospel of Matthew. Here, too, there is a good deal of worry by scholars and theologians about what the text, and Greek fantasma, really mean here, but it seems to me that the disciples who were present on that occasion just thought they had seen a ghost.

Finkel, Irving. The First Ghosts: A rich history of ancient ghosts and ghost stories from the British Museum curator (pp. 262-263). Hodder & Stoughton. Kindle Edition.

This is almost a “dog that didn’t bark” observation: Why would the disciples have immediately and so readily mistaken Jesus walking on water for a ghost if they were not already familiar with ghosts? It is an offhand observation that opens up an entire culture.

This is a rewarding book. I like anthropology and folklore. I like the idea of placing myself in a different world. I also finished St. Robert Bellarmine’s “On Purgatory” recently. So, I was primed. Finkel writes a good story and is entertaining. I am not sure who might benefit from this book, but if any of that sounds like your wheelhouse, give it a read.

Footnotes:

[1] St. Robert Bellarmine used a similar argument – actually, the same argument – as an argument from reason for the existence of purgatory. Bellarmine noted that ghost stories are universal, which implies that there is a middle place between Heaven and Hell, a place where no leaves, either by choice or by mandate. Bellermine associated this place with Purgatory.

[2] The correlation to Catholic belief stood out for me. St. Robert Bellarmine taught that there were the evil, who went to Hell, the good, who went to Heaven, and those not good or bad enough for either, who went to Purgatory. Purgatory is a place of expiation of sins prior to Heaven. Bellarmine believed that souls could leave Purgatory with God’s permission and for God’s purposes, often to carry messages back to the living about being mindful of their religious practices or to request that prayers be made for them. So, for Bellarmine, it is the middle portion that was problematic; for the Sumerians, it was the evil.

[Chris Durston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable, as you'd expect from Irving Finkel. He has a peculiar way of making the very distant seem very near, which is probably what makes him such a good communicator of history.

[Elizabeth Judd Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the first written ghost lore, dating to about 3400 BC, from the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. It talks about how ghosts were part of life then and also discusses how the belief in them has never gone away, tho ideas about them have changed.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyment: ★ ★ ★ ★
Value: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Why: I absolutely adore Irving Finkel’s lectures on YouTube, so picking up one of his books on the subject was a no-brainer. His lectures have an unbeatable mix of deep scholarship, sharp wit, and that wonderfully mischievous, wizard-like delivery that made me instantly into a fan. That same voice carries through this book, and he narrates the audiobook himself, which is in itself a double treat. From the academic perspective, The First Ghosts also aligns wonderfully with my deep dive into mythology, memory, and interpretation.

Thoughts: While the content might seem slightly technical for a casual reader, I found this book to be a invaluable for my research. Drawing directly from Mesopotamian sources, Finkel shows that ghosts weren’t vague symbols or spooky metaphors, but the result of very specific social realities. These constructs tapped directly into the ancients’ interpretation of the world, life, and death, and demanded very specific rules to abide by. If you are really excited about the subject, you won't mind minute detail and tablet transcripts. You'll get detailed accounts of burial rituals, exorcisms, warding talismans, necromancy, and Netherworld related mythology. I couldn't have asked for a better source.

This book has also been invaluable to my interest in convergent versus inherited myth-making. Seeing these ideas in their earliest recorded form makes it clear that later traditions - including Biblical concepts - didn’t appear out of nowhere, but were reshaped from much older frameworks. Whether certain patterns recur because they’re universal human responses or because they were culturally transmitted becomes very fun to explore here.

On a personal note, The First Ghosts has been a goldmine for my own creative writing pet project. There’s an incredible amount of concrete, usable material here (conjuring inspiring set pieces or resolving character motivations) that sparks ideas I wouldn’t have devised without research.

I will continue to refer to this book for some time to come, as I still have to work on my notes, and I will definitely go through the entirety of the endnotes and bibliography with a fine-tooth comb.

Fun Fact: Ancient Mesopotamia had a designated demon for lurking in the toilet, named Sulak. It would strike an unsuspecting victim with a stroke or other malady while they were at their most vulnerable and using the lavatory. See, I knew my unease about countryside outhouses after dark used to be a completely justifiable fear.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It’s both informative and funny. I would like to hang out with Mr. Finkle.

[Ravi Warrier · Rating 2 out of 5]

My low rating of the book is solely based on my misplaced expectations from it.

Having a questioning mind and being sceptical, I was hoping to get some answers as to why people believe in ghosts. But the book doesn't answer that.

Nevertheless, it does a good job of illustrating how the ancient people thought of and dealt with their beliefs.

Good read, if you are an anthropology nerd, bad, if you are like me and need answers to 'why' in addition to 'what'.

[Samantha van Buuren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting but interesting and informative nonetheless.

I struggled to get into it, I found the writing quite dense. A paragraph of words worth could have been edited down to a sentence, so I almost lost my patience with it. But I'm glad I pushed on because once I became used to the writing style I was able to appreciate the author's humour while delivering the facts and, because of that, it became a joy to read.

I learnt so much about ancient Mesopotamia and their views on ghosts, the dead and the afterlife. Their version of where we go after death is really bleak so I really hope they weren't right!!! But their mythology is wonderful and fascinating to read. It's also good to know that if I ever have trouble with a restless spirit, that there is a book in my library full of ancient exorcism spells to help me out!!

As a huge fan of ghost stories, it was fascinating to learn about the first recorded mention of ghosts and how the human race has been haunted for much longer than you'd think!

[Chinmayee Kulkarni · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was quite grounded in evidence, and brought a lot of information about the idea of a ghost as it first occurred in Mesopotamia. The author very broadly traced the origin of the meanings behind burials and death rituals across time; he examined significance of some rituals in late Babylon alongside that in ancient Assyria, going so far back as Elam to understand how some borrowed words have been preserved in spells.
Though it was revelatory on the beliefs and lives of Assyrians, it was a tough read at times because of a lack in clear narrative. It was in some places written like an academic paper but far from its research question. Stellar findings nonetheless.