Did ancient Babylonians describe Noah's Ark as a circular vessel instead of a boat?
In short: A rare cuneiform tablet from 1750 BC offers a surprising twist on the familiar flood narrative. Dr. Irving Finkel of the British Museum reveals how this ancient text details the construction of an ark that was round, challenging long-held assumptions about the shape of the legendary vessel.
The discovery began when a member of the public brought a family heirloom to the British Museum. Dr. Irving Finkel, the Deputy Keeper of the Middle East, deciphered the 60-line cuneiform tablet, which contains an ancient Babylonian account of the Great Flood. This text is closely related to the biblical story of Noah but provides specific, distinct instructions for the ark's construction.
Beyond just listing the necessary materials and measurements, the tablet suggests the vessel was circular. This revelation sparked a unique project where Dr. Finkel collaborated with a team of archaeological boat builders to construct a replica based on these ancient specifications, bridging the gap between historical text and physical reality.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Was the ark round? The new Babylonian text that reshaped Noah’s Ark
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-was-the-ark-round-the-new-babylonian-text-that-reshaped-noah.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Archaeology · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
