Archbishop James Ussher concluded that the world was completed by God on Saturday, October 9, 4004 BC and that the first day of Creation was Sunday, October 2, 4004 BC. He also calculated that Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden on Monday, November 10, 4004 BC. According to his reckoning, the ark came to rest in the mountains of Ararat on Wednesday, 5 May 1491 BC. We should not be doubtful of Bishop Ussher's sincerity as he was a very learned man and he undertook this task with the greatest gravity. Some of his dates are not far off from the dating of present-day archaeologists. His system was accepted as truth until the 19th century. (There was dissent even in the 18th century). Then the ancient earth view began to be accepted. Today, most theological circles no longer accept Ussher's Chronology. Yet, don't completely discount his dating system, because at the time, he was earnest and he was meticulous in his method, and his dates were widely accpeted. His system has certain points that are remarkable. Having read his "Annals of the World," I have a deep appreciation for his work.
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Seriously, there are good people who try and make the point for an ancient earth but I've been reading books that point out that everything these people say and preach can be explained away by a global flood and how it can explain everything from the Grand Canyon being created in just a few weeks to dead sea life (the clams everyone is talking about) being discovered on a mountain top.