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Ancient Goblet Reveals Earliest Cosmic Creation Depiction

12/6/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The ?Ain Samiya goblet, discovered in the West Bank in 1970, is the oldest-known depiction of cosmic creation.
Dating to the Intermediate Bronze Age (2650–1950 B.C.), it shows two scenes: a bull-man and human figures holding a celestial arch.
Study author Eberhard Zangger argues the artwork represents primordial chaos, a state before creation.
Zangger notes comparative archaeology helps trace how these ideas evolved and their enduring influence today.

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Story summary

The ?Ain Samiya goblet, discovered in the West Bank in 1970, is the oldest-known depiction of cosmic creation.
Dating to the Intermediate Bronze Age (2650–1950 B.C.), it shows two scenes: a bull-man and human figures holding a celestial arch.
Study author Eberhard Zangger argues the artwork represents primordial chaos, a state before creation.
Zangger notes comparative archaeology helps trace how these ideas evolved and their enduring influence today.