The Garden of Eden

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

The Garden of Eden is described in the Book of Genesis as a tropical paradise that was lost to mankind around 4000 BCE. But did this mythical garden ever exist?

The Old Testament said that "Four rivers passed through Eden," known as Pishon, Gihon, Tigris and the great Euphrates. Two of these rivers can be found in the Middle East (Tigris & Euphrates), but the other two have never been located with any credibility… that is, until now.

Compelling satellite imagery has found two fossil rivers that were active in the Mesolithic. Could these dry river beds have been the fabled Pishon & Gihon. If so, then that would place Eden where the four rivers converged (see map). Between 12,500 - 7000 BCE, this would have been a highly fertile valley full of lush vegetation.

This predates the biblical timeline by 3000 yrs, suggesting that the roots of this myth may go back as far as the Mesolithic. This was a time of great transition where man abandoned his hunter gatherer lifestyle, adopting agriculture as a means of controlling his environment.

So where is the Garden of Eden today? Most likely under 200 ft of salt water. At around 6000 BCE, man was forced to leave this fertile valley as the sea levels rose, submerging the once mythical paradise.

Yet it's legend still endures today, of a serpent, a powerful God and the temptation of forbidden fruit. If Eden was a real place, then is it possible that so too was the legend, Ancient Explorers?

Original Post: Human Odyssey