Introduction

As an atheist or agnostic, the discovery of Noah's Ark at Gobekli Tepe would likely spark a whirlwind of complex emotions and thoughts. The idea of ancient texts becoming reality can challenge long-held beliefs and alter perceptions of faith and history.

Reacting to the Discovery

The potential discovery of Noah's Ark would likely evoke a sense of skepticism and disbelief more than a direct conversion to any religion. The immediate reaction would certainly be one of disbelief or even ridicule, given the horrific details that belie the stories of a benevolent deity.

I would probably be more likely to turn away because no doubt if they found the ark they would find the tiny skeletons of 5 million infants and children who clung on and begged to be saved but who were allowed to drown without comment.

This reaction stems from the inherent cruelty and inconsistency within the narrative when compared to the modern understanding of historical and biological events. If Noah's Flood was a global occurrence, leaving behind ample evidence, the planet's geological record would surely show it. However, such evidence is notably absent, pointing to the mythological nature of the event.

The Lack of Evidence

The absence of widespread destruction and rebuilding of civilizations would cast serious doubt on the historical accuracy of the story. To base a massive narrative on a single artifact is unfounded and stretches the bounds of logical reasoning.

Noah’s flood never happened if it had we would have evidence throughout the world not just on Mt Ararat or in Gobekli Tepe.

The logical argument here is that if the flood was global, the impact would be universally observable. Yet, there is no coherent evidence spanning the entire planet, suggesting that the narrative is rooted in cultural memory rather than historical fact.

What Would the Discovery Prove?

Even if an ancient artifact matching the dimensions of the ark were found, it would not necessarily prove the existence of Noah and a global flood. It could quite easily be a monumental structure shaped like a boat for various practical or ceremonial purposes.

When Schliemann discovered the ancient city of Troy, it provided evidence of the war detailed in Homer's Iliad, but not the details of that war, and certainly not the supernatural legends that grew around it. It is not proof of the judgment of Paris or the goddesses Athena, Aphrodite, Hera, or the plagues sent by Apollo or the Leviathan sent by Poseidon.

Similarly, the discovery of the ark would not be definitive proof of a global flood or a divine creator. It could be a cultural or mythological artifact woven into a complex tapestry of beliefs over time. The stories evolve and gain fantastical elements as they are passed down through generations.

Parallel Myths and Legends

Further examination of similar stories from various cultures would indicate that tales of a great flood are not unique to the Bible. The Sumerian civilization proposed an even older origin for such myths through ancient tablets. The flood myth in Sumerian literature predates the biblical narrative, adding another layer of complexity to the argument.

If an ark was discovered somewhere else, that makes more sense, it could prove that the flood myth that exists in many cultures and written in ancient Sumerian tablets is based on real events.

By examining myths from other regions, such as the Sumerian flood story, which exists in written records predating the biblical account, it becomes evident that these stories are intertwined with human experiences of natural disasters. The flood narrative gained fantastical elements over time, leading to the creation of myths and legends.

Conclusion

The discovery of Noah's Ark at Gobekli Tepe would primarily challenge the reliability of the biblical narrative. While it might offer insights into the cultural and mythological development of ancient societies, it would not provide concrete proof of the historical existence of Noah and a global flood.

In essence, such historical findings reinforce the idea that catastrophic events in history are often exaggerated and embellished over time, leading to the creation of mythological tales that resonate with humanity's experience of nature's power and unpredictability.