Scientists have recently made significant strides in understanding an ancient Babylonian artifact that suggests the possible location of Noah’s Ark in modern-day Türkiye.
The artifact in question is a clay tablet known as the Imago Mundi, which is believed to be the oldest map in existence, dating back around 3,000 years, reported Daily Sabah.
Dr. Irving Finkel, a curator at the British Museum and an expert on cuneiform, emphasized the importance of this discovery, stating, “This is the oldest map of the world, in the world.”
According to biblical accounts, Noah’s Ark came to rest on Mount Ağrı, also known as Ararat, after a 150-day cataclysmic flood.
Dr. Finkel played a key role in decoding the ancient tablet. This artifact features a circular map centered on ancient Mesopotamia, encircled by a “bitter river” that the Babylonians believed encompassed the world. On the reverse side, intriguing travel instructions lead to a place labeled “Urartu,” the Assyrian equivalent of the Biblical Ararat, per Israel 365 News.
Dr. Finkel highlights the connection between the two, noting that both serve as landing sites for Noah’s Ark in their respective narratives. The tablet also includes unique measurements and a reference to a “parsiktu-vessel,” a term associated with the boat that survived a significant flood, which adds to its historical importance.
The dimensions of the Ark described in scripture—300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high—roughly translate to 515 feet, 86 feet, and 52 feet, respectively. This measurement aligns with the Durupınar Formation, a site in Türkiye that is the subject of debate concerning its nature.
Geologists remain skeptical of claims that the site is a divine relic, asserting that it is shaped by natural processes.
However, investigations continue to uncover unusual geological structures, clay-like materials, and rock samples aged between 3,500 and 5,000 years, aligning with biblical timelines.
Despite ongoing debate about whether this formation is a natural occurrence or a divine relic, it remains a site of considerable archaeological interest.
