Blog 6

While a deep rooted understanding and relationship to faith and God is something to be respected, such beliegs can produce harmful impacts on science, archaeology and our basic understanding of the world. The belief in Biblical literalism has altered the public’s way of thinking as people of faith interpret the Bible as historical fact. As New York Times reporter and professor of Hebrew and Old Testament studies Wil Gafney states, “Literal readings of nonliteral texts can also lead to fraudulent readings, dogmatic tenacity to ahistorical or unscientific claims, and the loss of credibility for those who insist on nonsensical interpretations.” Gafney’s words hold true for many examples of Biblical literalism from the belief that the Great Pyramids were the grain stores of Joseph to the persistent search for archaeological evidence of Noah’s Ark.

For many years, Christian archaeologists and explorers have been on the hunt for physical proof of the Biblical flood and Noah’s ark. While evidence does suggest flooding took place all across the Middle East at different times throughout history, no archaeological evidence exists for that of Noah’s ark. In 2010, a band of evangelical Christian explorers claimed to have found Noah’s ark in modern day Turkey. The team explains they found wooden compartments adorning Mount Ararat and are asking for support from the archaeological community. Confirming on Gafney’s words, this is were Biblical literalism becomes dangerous. The obvious pseudo-archaeological claims the teams are making are based on the belief of the Bible as historical fact and no solid archaeological support. The wood structure they discovered apparently dates back to 4,800 years old via radiocarbon dating. This is easily and swiftly deconstructed using the basic principle of preservation. Human remains as well as material remains can only be preserved in consistently wet, consistently dry or consistently frozen climates. Turkey as we know it has an arid climate during the summer months and extremely wet one during the winter months. That being said, this wood structure would be hardly present if not at all. Creationist and Biologist Todd Wood even states his skepticism in these wood remains belonging to Noah’s ark, adding that the wood is way ‘too young’. 

This pseudo-archaeological narrative has obvious religious motivation. With such claims existing all over the globe, it is hard for valid archaeology to continue progressing with valid news sources giving these claims the light of day. Though it is a long journey ahead, the support of folks like (surprisingly enough) Wood and Gafney swiftly deconstruct the claims of fake archaeology. 

Sources:

Gafney, W. (2013, August 15). The Risk of Biblical Literalism. Retrieved December 10, 2019, from https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/08/15/should-creationism-be-controversial/the-risk-of-biblical-literalism.

Than, K. (2010, April 30). Noah’s Ark Found in Turkey? Retrieved December 10, 2019, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/4/100428-noahs-ark-found-in-turkey-science-religion-culture/#close.

Turkey at a Glance: Climate. (n.d.). Retrieved December 10, 2019, from http://www.columbia.edu/~sss31/Turkiye/climate.html.