Cover of Omphalos

Omphalos

by Philip Henry Gosse

First published
1857
Reading level
Fairly demanding
Price
Free

About the book

"Omphalos: An Attempt to Untie the Geological Knot" by Philip Henry Gosse is a book written in 1857 that presents a striking theory about creation and the fossil record. Gosse argues that God created the world with built-in evidence of a false past—like giving Adam a navel despite having no mother. The book attempts to reconcile geology with Genesis by suggesting all fossils represent an illusory pre-existence. Though logically consistent, it was immediately rejected and ridiculed by both religious and scientific communities.

  • Evolution (Biology)
  • Creation
  • Bible and geology

Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #39910. Omphalos on Wikipedia.

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