Ancient cup discovered in the West Bank features the earliest depiction of the universe’s creation, according to research.

Ancient Chalice Depicts Creation of the Universe

A silver chalice dating back 4,300 years, discovered in the West Bank, features the oldest known illustration of the universe’s creation, a depiction that closely aligns with narratives found in the book of Genesis, according to recent findings.

The “Ain Samiya Goblet,” standing at 3 inches tall, is intricately adorned with mythological motifs, including images of snakes, chimeras, deities, celestial symbols, and a peculiar “vessel of light.” Imaging studies suggest this vessel illustrates the transition from chaotic pre-creation to a structured cosmic order.

This research was published on Thursday in the Journal of the Ancient Near East Society. The goblet is claimed to represent the earliest visual account of the universe’s birth, predating the Babylonian Enuma Elish by more than a millennium.

“Rather than emphasizing a tumultuous struggle among gods, the goblet depicts a tranquil progression toward cosmic order,” explained co-author Daniel Sarlo, as noted by a report.

He further elaborated, “It portrays the birth of the sun, which dispels chaos and rejuvenates the world.”

One side of the chalice, unearthed from a tomb in the Judean Mountains in 1970, shows a human figure holding palm fronds, integrated with two bulls, hovering over a small sun while gazing at an ominous serpent.

The opposite side illustrates two figures with crescent-shaped objects, likely symbolizing the sun and moon, traversing the sky with the defeated serpent below them.

According to Swiss geoarchaeologist Dr. Eberhard Sanger, lead author of the study, “This goblet serves a practical purpose: it acts as a vessel transporting celestial bodies across the sky, potentially explaining the movement of the sun and moon.”

“The vessel of light reinforces our understanding of how heavenly forces operate, creating cycles of day and night, seasonal changes, and lunar phases. It offers insight into the cosmological beliefs of people in 2300 B.C.,” he added.