Ancient map reveals potential site for Noah's Ark discovery
Scientists have successfully deciphered the oldest map in the world, which was etched onto a clay tablet approximately 3,000 years ago. It reveals a potential location for "Noah's Ark."
The Babylonian artifact, known as Imago Mundi, has fascinated researchers since its discovery in 1882 in present-day Iraq. The map illustrates Mesopotamia surrounded by a circle representing the "bitter ocean," which, according to ancient beliefs, encompassed the entire world. As reported by the "Daily Mail," recent studies suggest that the map includes references to the biblical Noah's Ark, indicating a possible location where it might be found.
The back of the tablet acts as a key, detailing what a traveler might encounter on their journey towards the boat. One fragment of the Babylonian map mentions the necessity of traveling "seven leagues to see something as thick as a parsiktu vessel."
The term "parsiktu" appears in other ancient Babylonian texts, describing the size of the vessel needed to survive the Great Flood. Following the map's directions, researchers arrived at "Urartu" — the place where, according to the Mesopotamian poem, a man settled with his family after the flood. Urartu is the Assyrian equivalent of "Ararat," the Hebrew term for the mountains where the Bible states Noah's Ark came to rest.
It shows that the story was the same, and of course that one led to the other but also, that from the Babylonian point of view, this was a matter of fact thing. That if you did go on this journey you would see the remnants of this historic boat — said Dr. Irving Finkel, curator of the British Museum, as quoted by "Daily Mail."
This is where Noah's Ark is believed to have rested
The Bible claims that the Ark rested on the "mountains of Ararat" in Turkey after the flood that submerged the Earth and every living creature on it, except those who found refuge on the ship. Proponents of this theory point out that the mountain's peak matches the shape and dimensions of Noah's Ark. However, not everyone agrees with this view.
Dr. Andrew Snelling from the University of Sydney argues that we won't find Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat. In his opinion, the reason is quite simple — the mountain formed only after the floodwaters receded. Many scientists and archaeologists emphasize that the biblical story of Noah should not be interpreted literally.
