The oldest representation of the universe’s creation might be shown on an ancient silver cup.

Ancient Cup May Depict Creation of the Universe

Researchers are excited about a recent discovery that they believe showcases one of the earliest known illustrations of the universe’s creation, etched onto a small silver cup found over 50 years ago.

The Goblet of Ain Samiya, which was uncovered in the West Bank back in 1970, has become a focal point for inquiries into how ancient civilizations perceived the cosmos and the chaos that preceded it. The cup was retrieved from a sealed pit tomb near Kafr Malik, a town in the West Bank, dating back to the Middle Bronze Age—around 2650 to 1950 BC.

A study released in November in the Journal of the Ancient Near Eastern Society claims that the cup illustrates the pivotal moment of cosmic creation.

Eberhard Sanger, a geoarchaeologist and the president of a Swiss organization, Lewisian Studies, shared with reporters that the cup portrays “two remarkably accurate scenes.” On one side, there’s what he describes as a “cow-man,” a figure featuring a human upper body with two faces, combined with four hind legs of a cow. Initially, two figures were present on the right side, but only one has survived intact.

He noted the presence of a semi-circular arch connecting the figures, featuring a glowing human-like face, while snakes appear in both scenes—most prominently in the left panel.

Sanger elaborated that this depiction is unique, as similar representations haven’t been discovered elsewhere.

“This goblet is extraordinary because it’s the first graphic representation of how early people envisioned primordial chaos, the condition that existed before creation,” he mentioned.

He referred to a concept from the Hebrew Bible, called “tov wa bov,” which echoes philosophies from ancient Greece. The cup reflects an initial state of chaos, from which an organized world would eventually arise.

Sanger suspects the artist might have belonged to the Third Dynasty of Ur, from what is now southern Iraq.

The discussion around the cup has shifted from its initial interpretation as a scene of mythological battle; Sanger argues that what’s being depicted here is rather celestial in nature. He compares the arch held by the figures to representations found in other ancient cultures, like Mesopotamia and Egypt.

He emphasizes that this cup portrays the stability and cyclical characteristics of the universe—think about the sun rising each day or the seasons changing. Maintaining this order was seen as a unified responsibility shared by both humans and divine entities. Chaos, represented by the serpent, was still present but was kept somewhat subdued.

Importantly, Sanger points out that artifacts like this shouldn’t be viewed in isolation. He believes compared archeology, looking at other regions and periods, is crucial to truly understand their significance.

Ultimately, this study illuminates how ancient cosmological ideas evolved over time, many of which still find resonance in cultures today—like the symbolism in Turkey’s flag, for example.