In the beginning, the Bible tells us, God created humans and placed them in the Garden of Eden. After their expulsion, humanity has pondered the location of this paradise. The Bible describes Eden as a place with a river that splits into four headwaters, each with distinct characteristics. But where are these rivers today? Since the dawn of time, many have tried to pinpoint the exact spot. Here are ten intriguing proposals for the location of Eden.
10. Serpent Mound State Memorial, Ohio
Most searches for Eden focus on the Middle East, but some have ventured further afield. The Serpent Mound State Memorial in Ohio features a massive prehistoric effigy of a snake, over 1,300 feet long. Seen from above, the snake appears to be swallowing an egg or fruit.
Reverend Edmund Landon West proposed in 1908 that this monument marks the very spot where the serpent tempted Eve. While modern archaeologists haven’t confirmed who built the monument, the idea of Eden in Ohio remains a curious possibility.
9. Adam’s Peak, Sri Lanka
For centuries, many believed Eden still existed, likely atop a mountain to survive Noah’s flood. Sri Lanka’s Adam’s Peak fits the bill. At its summit, a rock formation called Sri Pada, meaning “sacred footprint,” bears a significant depression.
Some see the footprint as belonging to Buddha, Shiva, or Hanuman. However, Muslims and Christians believe it’s the footprint of Adam, marking his first step after being cast out of Paradise. In the 14th century, a European monk, Giovanni de’ Marignolli, claimed Eden could be seen from the summit, if not for the persistent fog.
8. Jerusalem
Many Christians connect Adam and Jesus: Adam brought sin, while Jesus offers forgiveness. According to archaeologist Dr. Jodi Magness, there’s a physical link revealing Eden’s location. Beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial, lies a shrine to Adam.
Dr. Magness believes Jesus’ blood cleansed Adam of his sins at this spot. Others propose the Temple in Jerusalem or the entire region of Israel as the location of Eden.
7. Iraq
Iraq, formerly known as Mesopotamia, meaning “Between the Rivers,” is a popular candidate for Eden. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers are often suggested as two of the four rivers flowing from Eden. The area’s ancient ruins support the idea that humanity built its first cities there after leaving Eden.
In Victorian Britain, George Smith’s discovery of a cylinder seal depicting a man, woman, tree, and snake seemed to confirm Iraq’s claim. Though now believed to depict a banquet, the image fueled speculation. The wetlands of Iraq, one of the few lush areas in the arid region, are also considered a possible Eden site.
6. Mars
What if the rivers of Eden were not natural but canals? Ancient Mesopotamia excelled in water control and canal construction. However, William Francis Brinsley Le Poer Trench, a British peer and UFO enthusiast, took this idea to another level – literally.
Trench theorized that Adam and Eve were created by aliens on Mars as an experiment. Their descendants lived there until the polar icecap melted, forcing them to flee under Noah’s leadership. Despite the imaginary nature of Martian canals, this theory remains intriguing.
5. Praslin Island – Coco de Mer, Seychelles
Victorian explorers often interpreted the world through their existing worldviews. When General Charles Gordon visited the Seychelles in 1881, he declared it Paradise itself: the Garden of Eden.
Gordon believed the unique Coco de Mer nut, which resembles a woman’s bottom, was the forbidden fruit. He described it as representing “the belly and thighs, the true seat of carnal desires,” solidifying his belief in the Seychelles as Eden.
4. Bedford, England
Looking for a lost, mythical place? Eden might be as simple as finding an address: 12 Albany Road, Bedford, England. Today, an unassuming suburban house stands there. In 1919, a prophet named Mabel Barltrop gathered a community of Christian women in a house in Bedford.
The group discovered their home was the former site of the Garden of Eden and that Jesus would return to Bedford first. They even purchased a house nearby for Jesus and debated whether he would need a shower upon his arrival.
3. Jackson, Missouri
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or Mormon Church, holds unique doctrines. Founder Joseph Smith revealed that the Garden of Eden was once located in Jackson County, Missouri, in the early 1830s. He stated, “From the Lord, Joseph learned that Adam had dwelt on the land of America, and that the Garden of Eden was located where Jackson County now is.”
Adam and Eve’s first home after expulsion, Adam-ondi-Ahman, was located in Daviess County, Missouri. Smith found altars he believed were built by the first humans. Mormon settlers flocked to the area, alarming their neighbors, and the resulting conflict led to the 1838 Mormon War, driving the Mormons away.
2. Taklamakan Desert, China
Eden is typically imagined as a lush, green paradise, making a desert search seem unlikely. However, Tse Tsan-tai, a Chinese Christian and revolutionary, pinpointed Eden in the Taklamakan Desert.
In his book, “The Creation, the Garden of Eden and the Origin of the Chinese,” Tse Tsan-tai linked biblical events to Chinese locations, suggesting Christianity was a natural part of China’s history. Maps in the book marked Eden in the middle of this inhospitable desert. Could this have been humanity’s first home?
1. North Pole
In the late 19th century, Western explorers were determined to reach the North Pole. William F. Warren, president of Boston University, believed the Garden of Eden was located there. In his book “Paradise Found: The Cradle of the Human Race at the North Pole,” he suggested it was also home to Atlantis, Avalon, and other holy sites.
Warren thought any explorer reaching the North Pole would be overcome with awe at the “frozen desolation” of humanity’s earliest home. He believed the only way back to Eden was through death, which may explain why few explorers have actively searched for it there.
The search for the Garden of Eden continues to captivate our imaginations. Whether it’s in Ohio, Sri Lanka, or even on Mars, the idea of a perfect beginning sparks endless curiosity. Each proposed location offers a unique perspective on this timeless mystery.
What do you think? Where do you believe the Garden of Eden was located? Leave your comments below!
