Fingerprints of the Gods - Book Review

[marduk]

you're saying you have as much chance of being ordained as you do of being athe chairman of a non existent organisation
your math sucks

i'd say that the chances of you being a preacher are a dead cert in that case

get ready for seminary and prepare to take orders

[Beagle]

Most of the models I have seen do not call for a slow meltdown, though.

All models and data indicate a gradual meltdown, punctuated with the occasions ice dam collapse - but even the worst of these would only have produced global sea rises of a few inches.

Although in geological terms it was pretty quick - taking only about ten thousand years.

Sea levels reached their peak around 6,000 years ago.

Granted Essan. But the earth is not a porcelain bathtub with smooth sides.
I think there are areas that can swiftly be inundated by rising sea levels .
The Black Sea theory proposed by Ryan and Pitman was very well done some time back, but has come under much criticism recently. But that's the sort of effect I'm talking about.

Also, I don't think it takes rising sea levels to create a massive flood. THE flood could have been caused by an asteroid strike in the ocean for example. A sudden submergence underwater, that we saw at the end of '04 could have been mild for all we know. The volcanic caldera surrounded by Italy, Sicily, etc. would certainly fit the bill in the Mediterrainean but it last blew it's top in 33,000 BC.

It would be a fun execise to speculate as to what and where the Deluge originated.

Good to see you Essan.

[Digit]

The only orders I accept is 3 more pints please!

[Beagle]

The only orders I accept is 3 more pints please

[Digit]

As a bar tender Beag, OK? Despite the best efforts of the Europhiles we still buy our beer by the pint.

[marduk]

Also, I don't think it takes rising sea levels to create a massive flood. THE flood could have been caused by an asteroid strike in the ocean for example

ah the joys of pseudoscience
finally when you educate the phillistines to the degree when they drop their "ice age ending sea level rise" did it theory they start off on another one that holds no scientific merit whatsoever

seems to me that none of these people know anything about the real causes of flooding
but maybe one day they'll get it
i'm just not holding my breath

[Essan]

Granted Essan. But the earth is not a porcelain bathtub with smooth sides.
I think there are areas that can swiftly be inundated by rising sea levels .
The Black Sea theory proposed by Ryan and Pitman was very well done some time back, but has come under much criticism recently. But that's the sort of effect I'm talking about.

Yes, such events could happen. Suppose an area of high dunes had built up at the mouth of what is now the Perisan Gulf? A shallow coastal sea inlet of that sort could have flooded very quickly ....

As you note, the Black Sea hypothesis is currently 'out of fashion'

Also, I don't think it takes rising sea levels to create a massive flood. THE flood could have been caused by an asteroid strike in the ocean for example.

Such suggestions have indeed been made. Although few flood legends refer to a wall of water than sweeps over the land, destroying everything and then quickly receding - as would happen with a massive tsunami.

Either the water doesn't recede (as in Atlantis, Lyonesse versions etc) or the rise in waters is caused by rainfall or a storm (Noah etc). Granted that such legends are likely to have been affected by the addition of local details over the millennia - assuming they shared a common origin

[Cognito]

The Black Sea theory proposed by Ryan and Pitman was very well done some time back, but has come under much criticism recently. But that's the sort of effect I'm talking about.

Unfortunately for Ryan and Pitman, Ali Aksu has found two deltas on the Mediterranean side of the Bosporus. Obviously, floods went in the other direction from their hypothesis (back up ... start over).

[Minimalist]

Although few flood legends refer to a wall of water than sweeps over the land, destroying everything and then quickly receding - as would happen with a massive tsunami.

Equally true of a "superflood" except coming from the other direction.

[Essan]

Well a superflood, from an ice dam burst, for example, could well last for several hours or even days, whereas a tsunami would be over in a matter of minutes.

Of course, if the 'flood' were so massive that it drastically altered the contours of the landscape, leaving what was once fertile farmland as marsh or even shallow sea ..... Which would fit with the 'Atlantean' version of the flood myth.

[Beagle]

Granted Essan. But the earth is not a porcelain bathtub with smooth sides.
I think there are areas that can swiftly be inundated by rising sea levels .
The Black Sea theory proposed by Ryan and Pitman was very well done some time back, but has come under much criticism recently. But that's the sort of effect I'm talking about.

Yes, such events could happen. Suppose an area of high dunes had built up at the mouth of what is now the Perisan Gulf? A shallow coastal sea inlet of that sort could have flooded very quickly ....

As you note, the Black Sea hypothesis is currently 'out of fashion'

Also, I don't think it takes rising sea levels to create a massive flood. THE flood could have been caused by an asteroid strike in the ocean for example.

Such suggestions have indeed been made. Although few flood legends refer to a wall of water than sweeps over the land, destroying everything and then quickly receding - as would happen with a massive tsunami.

Either the water doesn't recede (as in Atlantis, Lyonesse versions etc) or the rise in waters is caused by rainfall or a storm (Noah etc). Granted that such legends are likely to have been affected by the addition of local details over the millennia - assuming they shared a common origin

Regarding the Persian gulf scenario there, Ryan and Pitman ruled it out as a possibility for THE flood on a geological basis. They currently stand firm on their beliefs about the Black Sea.

A flood myth seems inherent in most cultures around the earth, but Atlantis is an unfinished story by Plato, nothing more. Although Greece has its' own flood legend, Platos' story did not rise to the level of urban myth until Ignatious Donnelly in recent times.

An interesting subject with no answers yet, although we all have opinions.

We need more Ryan and Pitmans, who are not afraid to go looking.

[Minimalist]

could well last for several hours or even days

How about 40 days and 40 nights?

[Cognito]

Of course, if the 'flood' were so massive that it drastically altered the contours of the landscape, leaving what was once fertile farmland as marsh or even shallow sea ..... Which would fit with the 'Atlantean' version of the flood myth.

Farmland and canals turned to mud and lots of other stinky crap ... either the Atlantean legend or an outdoor rock concert.

[Beagle]

could well last for several hours or even days

How about 40 days and 40 nights?

40 only means "many" in middle eastern mystic numerology. We all know about all the 40s in the Bible, but don't forget Ali Baba and the 40 thieves.

[Minimalist]

The Fundis take it literally, Beags. 40 means 40...not 39.