New Evidence Suggests Formation in Turkey Might Really Be Noah’s Ark

In a mountainous area of eastern Turkey, a team of American researchers believes they may have uncovered the remnants of one of history's most legendary vessels—Noah’s Ark. Working at a mysterious and intriguing site known as the Durupınar Formation, the group was stunned to discover what they describe as a “tunnel” beneath a boat-shaped geological formation that may match the Bible’s description of the vessel that supposedly came to rest after the Great Flood more than 4,300 years ago.

According to the Book of Genesis, Noah’s Ark was a massive wooden ship built to preserve humanity and animal life from a catastrophic global deluge. After 150 days, the Bible says, the ark came to rest “on the mountains of Ararat.” The Durupinar site lies just 18 miles (29 kilometers) south of Mount Ararat itself, Turkey’s highest peak and a location long rumored to be the ark’s final resting place.

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Deep Scans Produce Stunning Results

The team, led by independent researcher Andrew Jones from the California-based organization Noah’s Ark Scans, employed ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to investigate the site. The scans reportedly revealed three distinct layers beneath the surface, an important detail that mirrors the biblical description of the ark having lower, second, and third decks.

One of the most significant discoveries to emerge from the GPR study is what appears to be a 43-foot (13-meter) tunnel running through the center of the formation. The scans also detected other open spaces and central and side corridors, which could suggest the presence of compartments or interior rooms.

“We're not expecting something that's fully preserved. What's left is the chemical imprint, pieces of wood and in the ground, the shape of a hall,” Jones explained in a statement published by the Daily Mail Online.

GPS scan showing structures and open spaces inside the formation in Turkey, which could reveal rooms and corridors. (Noah’s Ark Scans).

So far, angular structures have been detected as deep as 20 feet (6 meters) below the surface of the ground. According to Jones and his colleagues, this would be a highly unusual feature in a naturally created geological formation.

“This is not what you'd expect to see if the site were simply a solid block of rock or the result of random mudflow debris,” Jones said. “But it is exactly what you'd expect to find if this were a man-made boat, consistent with the biblical specifications of Noah's Ark.”

Supporting their geophysical findings, the team has collected and analyzed soil samples from 22 different locations surrounding the Durupinar formation. Soil scientist William Crabtree, another member of the Noah’s Ark Scans team, noted that samples taken from inside the formation show significantly different characteristics from those collected elsewhere.

“Organic matter was found to be double inside the formation compared to the surrounding soil,” Crabtree stated. “If you know soil science—as I am a soil scientist—you will understand that potassium levels, organic matter, and pH can all be affected by the decomposition of organic materials. If this was a wooden vessel and the wood had rotted over time, we would expect to see increased potassium levels, changes in pH, and higher organic content—and that's exactly what we find.”

Further observations suggest grass growing within the formation differs in color from the vegetation outside it. This is a strong indicator that soil composition beneath the surface is varied or textured. Crabtree also mentioned a tunnel running from the tip of the structure toward its center, which is quite prominent and large. “It is large enough to walk through,” he said.

‘NOAH’S ARK' on Mount Ararat’ (1570) by Flemish painter Simon de Myle. (Public Domain).

Skeptics have long maintained that the Durupınar Formation is a natural rock formation, possibly created by mudflows and erosion. The Noah’s Ark Scans team believes the new evidence warrants more extensive investigation. They plan to expand their research with core drilling, additional radar scans, and more soil sampling to record internal and external conditions more thoroughly.

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“We want to compare what’s inside the formation to what’s outside,” Jones said. “That could give us a much clearer picture of whether this is truly something man-made.”

Will the Durupinar Mystery Ever Be Solved?

Durupınar has intrigued explorers and researchers since 1948, when heavy rains and seismic activity exposed its unusual boat-like outline. Discovered by a local Kurdish shepherd, the site has drawn both scientific and religious interest for decades.

Until recently, however, no excavation has been officially sanctioned. That is about to change, as Noah’s Ark Scans has announced that they will carry out a controlled excavation in partnership with several Turkish universities. This is a victory for those who are at least open to the idea that the unusual formation may be a petrified Noah’s Ark, as academic institutions have traditionally dismissed the Ark story from Genesis as a myth.

Before breaking ground, the excavation team intends to complete a preservation plan, to make sure the integrity of the archaeological site is preserved regardless of what new studies may reveal.

Poster for the 1928 Warner Brothers motion picture Noah’s Ark. (Public Domain).

Despite the widespread debate and skepticism from the broader scientific community, the team remains optimistic that their findings could reveal the truth about one of history’s oldest and most enduring stories (many cultures and spiritual traditions around the globe reference a global flood that supposedly occurred thousands of years ago). Whether the Durupınar Formation is truly the final resting place of Noah’s Ark remains in doubt, but the researchers involved in the new study are optimistic that their efforts will produce some eye-opening results.

Top image: Overhead view of the Durupinar formation, near Mount Ararat in Turkey.

Source: Noah’s Ark Scans.

By Nathan Falde