Ep 5. Tower of Babel: The New Evidence

Tower of Babel: The New Evidence is the fifth episode of the sixth season of Unearthed, a documentary series that seeks to unravel some of history's greatest mysteries by exploring ancient sites and unearthing new evidence. This episode takes viewers on a journey to the Middle East where we examine one of the most enigmatic stories in the Bible - the Tower of Babel.

According to the Bible, the Tower of Babel was built in the land of Shinar by a group of people who wanted to reach the heavens. However, God became angry with their audacity and scattered them by confusing their language. This story has fascinated scholars and archaeologists for centuries, but recently, new evidence has emerged that could shed new light on the tower's true purpose and significance.

The episode starts by retracing the steps of biblical archaeologist Alfred P. Maudslay, who, in the late 19th century, discovered a series of stone carvings in the jungles of Guatemala that seem to depict the story of the Tower of Babel. Shortly after this, the show shifts its focus to the Middle East, where we meet Dr. Andrew George, an expert in ancient Babylonian language and literature, and Dr. Irving Finkel, a British archaeologist and curator at the British Museum.

Together, the two experts decode ancient tablets that describe the tower's construction and offer new insights into the story's meaning. They explain how the ancient Babylonians believed that their gods lived in the heavens and could be reached through a stairway or ladder. This belief was in stark contrast to the dominant monotheistic worldview of ancient Judaism, which prioritized the idea of a single, all-powerful God.

The episode then introduces viewers to a recent archaeological excavation in Iraq led by Dr. Elizabeth Stone, a professor of archaeology at Stony Brook University. The dig uncovered ancient texts that indicate that the Tower of Babel was much more than a physical structure. In fact, it may have been a religious complex devoted to the worship of the Babylonian god Marduk. The texts describe the tower's construction in great detail, highlighting the expertise of the ancient Babylonians in engineering and architecture.

Another fascinating aspect of the episode is the examination of the famous Ishtar Gate, which was built in ancient Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar II in the 6th century BC. Dr. Finkel takes viewers on a tour of the British Museum's vast collection of Babylonian artifacts, including the Ishtar Gate's impressive glazed bricks. He explains how the gate was built to symbolize the power and might of the Babylonian empire and served as the grand entrance to the city.

Throughout the episode, the experts debunk common misconceptions about the Tower of Babel. For instance, they point out that it was not, in fact, a tower as we understand it today. Instead, it was likely a stepped pyramid-like structure that served as a base for a temple at the top. Moreover, the experts emphasize that the story of the Tower of Babel was not an attempt to explain the diversity of human languages, as is commonly believed. Instead, the biblical account probably served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition and hubris.

Overall, Tower of Babel: The New Evidence is a thought-provoking and insightful episode that sheds new light on one of the Bible's most intriguing stories. Through careful analysis of ancient texts and artifacts, the experts featured in the show paint a complex and nuanced picture of the Tower of Babel and its cultural significance. This episode is a must-see for anyone interested in ancient history, archaeology, or biblical studies.