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Irving Finkel | The Ark Before Noah: A Great Adventure

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures・45 minutes read

A tablet discovered in 1985 details instructions for building a round boat to survive a flood, challenging traditional beliefs about Noah's Ark. A documentary was proposed to construct a boat based on the ancient tablet's specifications, with challenges and adjustments during the building process ultimately leading to a successful launch.

Insights

  • The tablet discovered by Douglas Simmons in 1985 contained unique instructions for Atra-hasis to build a round boat, not the traditional ark shape, using specific materials like palm tree pith rope and bitumen for waterproofing, challenging conventional narratives of the biblical Flood story.
  • The construction of the boat based on ancient instructions in India involved meticulous planning, primitive tools, and a cautious approach to ensure accuracy, with the boat eventually being launched into the water using inflatable rubber sausages as rollers, highlighting the dedication and challenges faced in recreating historical artifacts.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of the Babylonian tablet detailing instructions for building a boat?

    The Babylonian tablet containing instructions for Atra-hasis to construct a boat to survive a flood holds immense historical and cultural significance. This tablet, a piece of the Old Babylonian version of the Flood Story, was a groundbreaking discovery that shed light on ancient narratives and boat-building techniques. The tablet's description of a round boat, not the traditional ark shape, with specific instructions on materials needed, challenged conventional beliefs and provided valuable insights into ancient Mesopotamian civilization. The detailed instructions on materials required, construction methods, and boat dimensions offered a glimpse into the practical aspects of boat building in ancient times, bridging the gap between myth and reality.

  • How was the ancient coracle boat described in the Babylonian tablet constructed?

    The ancient coracle boat described in the Babylonian tablet was constructed using a unique method and specific materials. The tablet detailed the need for 14,430 sutu of rope, later recalculated to 14,624 sutu, to build the boat. This thick rope, made from palm tree pith, was twisted and stitched in a circular pattern to form the boat's structure. The boat, resembling a giant coracle, had a surface area of 3,600 square meters and was designed with great ribs meeting in the middle to form the floor, walls made of lashed ropes, and stanchions supporting the upper deck. The boat's interior featured a handcrafted design with a wooden smell, showcasing the primitive tools and craftsmanship employed in its construction.

  • What challenges were faced during the construction of the coracle based on the ancient instructions?

    The construction of the coracle based on ancient instructions presented several challenges to the builders and the production team. The boat, designed to be as large as possible within given dimensions, required meticulous planning and execution to ensure accuracy and success. The construction process, carried out in India by ancient boat builders and workmen, caused anxiety due to concerns over the boat's accuracy and size. Adjustments had to be made in the building plan to address practical constraints and ensure the boat's structural integrity. The boat's exceptionally heavy weight necessitated the construction to be done on a cradle above the ground for the launch, with the entire structure laced together with ropes and no glue or nails, reflecting the ancient boat-building techniques described in the tablet.

  • How was the launch of the coracle into the water depicted in the documentary?

    The launch of the coracle into the water, as depicted in the documentary, was a carefully orchestrated event that showcased the culmination of the construction process. The coracle, built on a stand, was launched into the water using inflatable rubber sausages as rollers, allowing for a smooth transition from land to water. Crew members boarded the coracle while others wore orange inflatable anti-drowning devices, emphasizing safety during the launch. Despite meticulous planning, the coracle experienced a leak due to bitumen, requiring pumping to remove water. The sight of the boat moving through the water without leaving a wake created a peculiar yet awe-inspiring moment captured in the documentary.

  • What insights did the Babylonian tablet and the construction of the coracle provide into ancient boat-building techniques?

    The Babylonian tablet detailing instructions for building a boat and the subsequent construction of the coracle based on those instructions offered valuable insights into ancient boat-building techniques and craftsmanship. The tablet's description of the boat's structure, materials required, and construction methods provided a glimpse into the practical aspects of boat building in ancient Mesopotamia. The construction of the coracle, following the ancient instructions closely, showcased the use of primitive tools, handcrafted interior design, and meticulous attention to detail. The process of lacing the boat's structure together with ropes, constructing the boat on a cradle above the ground, and launching it into the water highlighted the challenges and complexities of ancient boat building, enriching our understanding of maritime history and technological advancements in antiquity.

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Summary

00:00

"Discovery of Ancient Flood Tablet Transforms Curator"

  • The speaker is glad to be at the event after a long absence since 1979.
  • He discusses his adventure with the Ark before Noah, which transformed his life as a curator.
  • Curators at the British Museum often have to identify items brought in by the public.
  • A man named Douglas Simmons brought in a bag of antiquities in 1985, including a cuneiform tablet.
  • The tablet contained instructions for Atra-hasis to build a boat to survive a flood.
  • The tablet was a piece of the Old Babylonian version of the Flood Story, never seen before.
  • George Smith discovered a similar tablet in 1872, causing a stir due to its parallels with the biblical Flood story.
  • The tablet described a round boat, not the traditional ark shape, with specific instructions on materials needed.
  • The boat was to be a giant coracle, with a surface area of 3,600 square meters.
  • The tablet detailed the materials required, including rope, wood for ribs, and bitumen for waterproofing.

13:15

Recreating ancient boat with precision and care.

  • The coracle, a boat known in ancient times in Iraq, was constructed using a thick rope made from palm tree pith, twisted and stitched in a circular pattern.
  • A man named Hornell wrote in 1920 about building coracles, aiding in understanding an 18th-century B.C. narrative on boat construction.
  • The Babylonian tablet detailed the need for 14,430 sutu of rope to build the boat, which was later recalculated to 14,624 sutu by a mathematician.
  • The minimal difference between the divine instruction and the calculated measure suggested realistic boat building data.
  • A documentary was proposed to build a coracle based on ancient instructions, requiring $100 million and being constructed in India due to safety concerns in Iraq.
  • The boat was built in India by ancient boat builders and workmen over four to five months, following the original measurements closely.
  • A compromise was reached to build the boat as large as possible within the given dimensions due to practical constraints.
  • The construction process caused anxiety, with concerns over accuracy and size, leading to adjustments in the building plan.
  • The boat was eventually constructed in India, with images showing the process of coiling the thick rope to form the boat's structure.
  • The narrator's involvement in the documentary production led to strategic decisions and a cautious approach to ensure accuracy and success.

27:07

Ancient boat construction with primitive tools

  • The boat being constructed was exceptionally heavy and couldn't be dragged along the ground like a lifeboat.
  • The entire structure had to be built on a cradle above the ground to be brought into the water during the launch.
  • The construction involved a tight structure laced together with ropes and no glue or nails.
  • The boat was built with primitive tools and singing workers, creating a handcrafted interior with a wooden smell.
  • The boat's interior featured great ribs meeting in the middle to form the floor, walls made of lashed ropes, and stanchions supporting the upper deck.
  • The boat was designed to house Atra-Hassis and his family on the upper deck, made of reeds instead of wood.
  • The Babylonian tablet described the boat's structure like a wedding cake, with stanchions potentially separating species.
  • The boat was coated with bitumen for waterproofing, with Iraqi bitumen initially planned but replaced with Indian bitumen due to restrictions.
  • The construction team included Tom Volsner, Eric, and Alessandro, with Alessandro overseeing the project on-site.
  • The boat, resembling ancient marsh houses, was left partially open for filming, with a plan to include animals that was ultimately rejected.

40:32

Goats, coracle, and ancient map mysteries.

  • The director planned to use two goats, one male and one female, in a broadcast to create the illusion of an entire animal kingdom.
  • The goats ended up engaging in head-butting and sexual intercourse, causing a delay in filming.
  • The coracle was built on a stand and launched into the water using inflatable rubber sausages as rollers.
  • Crew members boarded the coracle while others wore orange inflatable anti-drowning devices.
  • The coracle experienced a leak due to bitumen, requiring pumping to remove water.
  • The boat left no wake as it moved through the water, creating a peculiar sight.
  • The workers who built the coracle kept the project secret to prevent tourists from getting hurt.
  • A map from 600 B.C. in the British Museum depicts a circular world with a river and eight islands or mountains on the rim.
  • The map mentions wooden blocks as thick as a "parsiktu," a term also found in the Ark tablet, possibly referring to the ribs of the boat.
  • The map suggests that the remains of Atra-Hassis's Ark could be seen on a remote mountain, aligning with the concept of Noah's Ark landing on a mountain.

54:45

Mysterious encounters in ancient Urartu church

  • The region known as Urartu or Urashtu was inhabited by troublesome people to the Assyrians and Armenians, with the narrative suggesting that Noah's Ark landed among the mountains of Ararat, not specifically on Mount Ararat as commonly believed.
  • The speaker recounts a personal experience at an ancient church on Easter Sunday, where a pure white dove landed on their head without leaving any mess, leading them to believe it was a significant and possibly divine encounter.
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