  This illustrated article represents a popular account of the study of the
Babylonian astronomical records of Enuma Anu Enlil tablet series i.e. of the
Venus Tablet of Ammisaduqa and of two lunar eclipses linked with the IIIrd
dynasty of Ur, having resulted in the proposal of Ultra-Low chronology of the
Near East in II millennium B.C. The emerged Ultra-Low chronology is by 96 years
shorter than the conventional Middle chronology and by now is supported by
various independent studies. Tables of relative chronologies of principal
kingdoms of Mesopotamia are given, along with some dates associated with the
fall of Babylon in II millennium B.C. The technical details are given in the
book by H.Gasche, J.A.Armstrong, S.W.Cole and V.G.Gurzadyan, "Dating the Fall
of Babylon" (Mesopotamian History and Environment, Series II, University of
Ghent and Chicago Press, 1998) and in subsequent articles.
