Seven Mountains to Aratta Searching for Noah's Ark in Iran B.J. Corbin Copyright ©2014 by B.J. Corbin. All rights reserved. 1st Edition Last edited: August 30, 2015 Website: www.bjcorbin.com ​ Follow-up book to The Explorers of Ararat: And the Search for Noah’s Ark by B.J. ​ ​ Corbin and Rex Geissler available at www.noahsarksearch.com. ​ ​ Introduction (draft) The basic premise of the book is this... could there be a relationship between the Biblical "mountains of Ararat" as the landing site of Noah's Ark and the mythical mountain of Aratta as described in ancient Sumerian literature? Both the Biblical Flood mentioned in Genesis chapters 6-8 and The Epic of Gilgamesh in tablet 11 (and other ​ Sumerian texts), seem to be drawing from the same historical flood event. Probable Noah’s Ark landing sites were initially filtered by targeting "holy mountains" in Turkey and Iran. The thinking here is that something as important and significant as where Noah's Ark landed and human civilization started (again) would permeate throughout history. Almost every ancient culture maintains a flood legend. In Turkey, both Ararat and Cudi are considered holy mountains. Generally, Christians hold Mount Ararat in Turkey as the traditional landing site of Noah's Ark, while Muslims adhering to the Koran believe that Mount Cudi (pronounced Judi in Turkish) in southern Turkey is the location where Noah's Ark landed. In Iran, both Damavand and Alvand are considered holy mountains. Comparing the geography of the 4 holy mountains, Alvand best fits the description in Genesis 11:2 of people moving “from the east” into Shinar, if one ​ ​ ​ ​ supports that definition of the verse. Background image using Google Maps Throughout this book an attempt will be made to show a variety of evidences linking Alvand mountain (Kuh-e Alvand) in Iran as a candidate for both Ararat and Aratta and the possible landing site of Noah's Ark. This may offer some people an explanation as to why the Sumerians were considered the "sudden civilization" demonstrating advanced technological knowledge. It is hard to follow the logic of how man gradually evolved and “somehow” went from living in caves and being ​ ​ ​ ​ hunters and gatherers to having knowledge to build ziggurats and pyramids using advanced mathematical calculations; craft metals and stones; track celestial planetary movements; writing; government and other advanced technology. The pre-flood civilization was very advanced and what we see in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus River and Olmec/Mayan cultures is just a continuation of knowledge from the pre-flood era of human history. If the entire world started over with just 8 survivors, one would expect them to start off living in caves or tents until they could build more permanent shelters. You would expect to see small settlements initially. The current dating system is flawed and the movements of peoples from the Iranian mountains to the Mesopotamian plain was quicker than some postulate. From the landing of Noah’s Ark to the incomplete ​ ​ building of the Tower of Babel took 337 years, according to Ken Johnson in his book Ancient Post-Flood History. ​ ​ The Ancient Book of Jasher states that Nimrod began his ​ reign when he was 40 years old or 292 years after the Flood. Nimrod was the son of Cush or Noah’s great grandson. This puts the approximate 250 mile “Sons of Noah” (Sumerian) migration from Ararat/Aratta/Alvand into Shinar/Mesopotamia around 200 years. The Ancient Book of Jubilees 5:28 states “And the ark ​ went and rested on the top of Lubar, one of the mountains of Ararat”. The initial migration according to Jubilees 7:13 is when Ham departed south with his four sons; Cush, Mizraim, Put and Canaan. Ham was displeased with his father Noah for cursing his younger son Canaan. It is interesting that when you move south from the older site of Ganj Dareh, there are remains of a slightly younger site called Tepe Abdul Hosein near Giyan. In Jubilees 7:14-17 the story continues with Japheth ​ moving west. The archaeological sites of Asiab and Sarab near modern Kermanshah would be a good guess for the initial settlements of Japheth. Shem moved east, but stayed close to Noah on or near the mountains of Ararat. The sites of Ganj Dareh and Godin Tepe capture this authors attention for the primary settlements of Noah and Shem. Other archaeological sites moving from Alvand towards Mesopotamia include Guran, Ali Kosh, Choga Bonet (near Susa) and others. Archaeologists have found evidence of trade connections between sites like Godin Tepe (near Ganj Dareh and Alvand mountain), Susa and Uruk. Many researchers over the years have pondered the question “where did the Sumerians come from?” Based on the research for this book, everything post-Flood started at Alvand mountain. Related to the initial migration from Alvand to the plains (modern Iraq) is how the land was divided between Noah’s sons and grandsons, what some call the Table of Nations. In general, Japheth gets the lands to the north, Ham the lands to the south and Shem the lands in the middle portion of the earth. What really stands out from this as related to Alvand potentially being linked with Ararat and Aratta is the following: ● According to Jubilees 8:21 “Media and all the ​ ​ mountains of Ararat” are given to Shem. Mount ​ Ararat in Turkey identifies with Hayk or Haik, who is the son of Togarmah, son of Gomer, who is the son of Japheth. This is consistent with a northern migration of Japheth’s family from Alvand into modern Turkey and beyond. ● In Jubilees 10:35, Madai, one of Japheth’s sons ​ declines his original land inheritance and “stays behind” not migrating north, but marries Arpachshad’s sister and dwells in the land of Media, named after Madai. Note the bullet point above … Media and all the mountains of Ararat were given to Shem (middle portion). Mount Ararat in Turkey is part of Japheth’s northern portion. The ancient capital of Media was Ecbatana (modern Hamadan, Iran), which is located at the northern base of Alvand mountain. See the Table of Nations map below showing where Madai stayed behind in Media near Alvand mountain. This information alone sheds doubt on Mount Ararat in Turkey or any of the other proposed locations being where Noah’s Ark landed. Another interesting theory as to how man became so technically advanced is that we had help from other extraterrestrial beings. Nephilim as the offspring of fallen angels and mortal women are mentioned in the Bible. So are the Watchers in the Book of Enoch and the Anunnaki in Sumerian literature. It is likely there were actual giant hybrids or demi gods from which so many legends originate. It is concerning that according to the Bible the Nephilim existed before and after the Flood. ​ ​ Will we see them again? King James Bible Genesis 6:4 “There were giants in the earth in those ​ days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.” ​ Hercules statue near Kermanshah, Iran by Alieh (Flickr) Many explorers are influenced by all the alleged accounts of a wooden structure on traditional Mount Ararat in Turkey. After many years of searching for Noah's Ark, there has been no evidence provided that is conclusive of a claimed discovery on any mountain or site. Some researchers struggle with the scripture in the Bible describing people after the Flood moving "from the east" into Shinar (Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in modern Iraq). King James Bible Genesis 11:2 "And it came to pass, as they journeyed from ​ the east, that they found a plain in the land ​ of Shinar; and they dwelt there." It should be noted there is some debate depending on which translation of the Bible you use on whether this scripture means “from the east” or “towards the east”. A summary of this issue will be added to the Notes section. For purposes of this book, “from the east” will be utilized based on the archeological evidence. East of Shinar is the Iranian Zagros mountains, not north into Turkey where traditional Mount Ararat and Mount Cudi are located. Many take the position that Noah's family and lots of animals would have had over 300 years to migrate down from traditional Mount Ararat in Turkey and could have later traveled east or from the east into Shinar. Though possible, it does not seem likely. Nimrod, son of Cush, who was the son of Ham, who was the son of Noah was considered one of the leaders at the Tower of Babel in Shinar. King James Bible Genesis 9:1 “And God blessed Noah and his sons, and ​ said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.” ​ Genesis 11 1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. 3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. 4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. The Tower of Babel was to keep mankind united (not scattered) in the plains of Shinar and not go forth as directed by God.