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In a historic discovery, scientists have uncovered the world’s oldest map on a 3.000-year-old Babylonian tablet, pinpointing the possible location of “Noah’s Ark.” Learn more about this amazing find!
The discovery of an ancient Babylonian clay tablet, engraved around 3.000 years ago, has shed new light on Noah's Ark. Scientists at the British Museum deciphered what appears to be the oldest map in the world, the Imago Mundi, an artifact that reveals details of the ancient understanding of the universe and, surprisingly, references to a boat monumental.
This “world map” is at the center of a study that connects Mesopotamian stories with biblical accounts, providing fascinating insight into the beliefs and events of the time.
The meaning of Imago Mundi
This map, engraved in cuneiform — Babylonian writing that used wedge-shaped symbols —, displays a circular diagram, with ancient Mesopotamia in the center. Around it, a “bitter river” is represented which, according to beliefs of the time, surrounded the known world.
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In its eight triangles, researchers suggest the representation of mountains, connected to references to a journey mentioned on the back of the tablet.
According to Dr. Irving Finkel, curator of the British Museum, the back of the tablet functions as a kind of guide for an expedition, instructing the traveler to travel “seven leagues” until you see an object as large as a boat, described as parsiktu — a term found in other Babylonian records, indicating something similar to a boat intended for survival in a flood.
The Journey to Urartu: A Possible Parallel with the Bible and Noah's Ark
The instructions on the tablet lead researchers to a region known as Urartu, equivalent to the biblical term “Ararat,” where Noah’s Ark is said to have come to rest after the flood. In the biblical account, Noah and his family survived the cataclysmic event, with their ship running aground in the “Ararat Mountains”, in Türkiye.
The parallel between the Babylonian and biblical stories becomes evident. According to Finkel, the Imago Mundi suggests that the Babylonians considered this narrative to be historical fact.If one were to follow the indicated route, one would see the remains of a monumental boat, similar to the one described in the Bible.”, explains the researcher.
Noah's Ark – A Babylonian View of the Flood
In the Babylonian context, the flood story has roots in Epic of Gilgamesh, an epic poem in which the god Ea warns Utnapishtim, the “Babylonian Noah,” about a great flood. Utnapishtim then builds an ark to save his family and animals. The term parsiktu is used to describe the robustness of this vessel.
Finkel points out that the Imago Mundi is one of the few records to describe a “Parsiktu vase.” This coincidence has fascinated experts, as it suggests a direct link between Mesopotamian narratives and the biblical story of the flood. The researcher also states that the table describes the procedures for building the ark, which strengthens the connection between the cultural and religious traditions of Mesopotamia and the biblical texts.
The controversy surrounding Mount Ararat
Despite the excitement over the discoveries, Mount Ararat has generated heated debate among scientists and religious people. The literal interpretation that the ark rests on Ararat is questioned. Dr. Andrew Snelling, a young-earth creationist, argues that Mount Ararat is a formation geological most recent, arising after the flood described in the accounts. According to Snelling, the chronology of the formation of the mountain would make it impossible to locate the ark on Ararat.
However, a team of geologists from Istanbul Technical University has been exploring Mount Ararat for years. In 2023, the team revealed evidence that humans may have inhabited the area around 3.000 to 5.000 years ago, based on traces of clay and marine materials found at the site.
Geological evidence and the persistence of myth
Another point of discussion is the peculiar formation of a structure that some believe to be the base of the ark. Studies indicate that the biblical ship would have been immense in size: 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide and 30 cubits high, which would be equivalent to approximately 515 feet long and 86 feet wide.
Some scientists, however, argue that these dimensions could have been influenced by natural geological formations.
Geologists at Istanbul Technical University have identified a peak that resembles the shape described for the ark, fueling speculation that an artificial structure may be hidden there.
The presence of clay and remains of marine materials still challenges scientists, who are trying to determine whether this evidence is the result of human occupation or geological phenomena.
The mythical and historical bases of the flood
Although the story of the biblical flood has been known for thousands of years, the discovery of the Imago Mundi adds a new layer to our understanding of the event. While the Babylonian account reinforces the biblical narrative, it also highlights how different cultures share similar themes about the creation and preservation of humanity.
Scholars believe that Gilgamesh's Flood and the biblical flood are representations of common cultural events, passed down through generations and reimagined by the civilizations that made up ancient Mesopotamia. Clay tablets from the period frequently mention natural catastrophes and disasters, suggesting that these stories may be interpretations of real geological events, such as great floods.
