How Can We Know Babel Was a Real Event?

A fascinating aspect of the Babel event described in Genesis 11 is the corroborating evidence we see in cultures and languages around the world.

For one, did you know that many cultures have ancient Babel-esque legends? Though these traditions don’t precisely match the biblical account, they are similar enough to signify the existence of a shared event experienced long ago before these cultures separated.

The architectural similarity in many ancient structures may also be a link to Babel. Although Scripture doesn’t give many details about the appearance of its famous tower, many think it was a ziggurat-style structure. If so, this could explain the similarities between the pyramids, earthen mounds, and ziggurats found around the world because those dispersing from Babel likely would have carried the memory of such an impressive architectural design with them.

Finally, linguistics also corroborates the separation of languages at Babel. Research indicates that the number of language families traces back to an amount comparable to the number of people groups identified in Genesis 10. This stands in stark contrast to what you’d expect to find if the evolutionary story were true.

So do these things prove the tower of Babel account? No—but they don’t need to. Because God’s Word is trustworthy, we can rest assured that the events of Genesis 11 did actually happen. However, they are powerful corroborating evidences that we can point to when skeptics attempt to relegate the early chapters of Scripture to mere mythology.

Learn more on Deck 3 of the Ark Encounter! Plan your visit at ArkEncounter.com/visit.

Día Latino at the Ark Encounter

At the Ark Encounter, we want to reach as many people as we can with the truth of God’s Word and the gospel. That’s why we host events like our upcoming Día Latino, coming to the Creation Museum on October 17, 2025, and October 18, 2025, at the Ark Encounter.

During this year’s Día Latino, we will explore the importance of establishing our families on the unshakable foundation, the rock of our salvation. Hear from Ken Ham, Joe Owen, and Dr. Josiah Grauman, and enjoy music from Nuevo Horizonte Church, Woodstock. We’re also offering a Family and the Gospel Workshop with Luis Ángeles of Living Waters Español.

Photo from a previous Día Latino event.

Visit the event page to learn more about this year’s event, and register today!