Where Was Eden?
Archaeologists and theologians continue to pursue the mystery of Eden, guided by geography in Genesis that names four rivers, including the Tigris and Euphrates. The other two, Pishon and Gihon, remain elusive, fueling centuries of speculation that placed paradise in Mesopotamia, Armenia, Africa, and even beneath the Persian Gulf. Today, satellite imaging and hydrological modeling trace ancient riverbeds, blending scripture with science. Eden’s unusual precision set it apart from other biblical passages, leading generations to treat it as once real. Many now read Eden symbolically, as a map of origins and loss. Yet the enduring quest reflects humanity’s longing to recover paradise.
Thomas Cole, Expulsion from the Garden of Eden, 1828. Public domain. Metropolitan Museum of Art.