23-05-2025
Could this be Noah's Ark? See mysterious site in Turkey
DOGUBAYAZIT, Turkey (WJW) — New soil tests and enhanced ground-penetrating radar scans from the Durupinar formation — a boat-shaped site in eastern Turkey long linked to the biblical story of Noah's Ark — have added support to the theory that a man-made structure lies beneath the surface.
The findings, released by the Noah's Ark Scans project in collaboration with Turkish and U.S. researchers, reveal significant anomalies in both soil composition and underground geometry that experts say point to the possibility of an artificial structure buried in ancient mudflow.
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Soil samples taken in September 2024 and analyzed in December show elevated levels of organic matter and potassium — indicators of decayed wood or organic structures, according to a press release.
'The soil composition is markedly different from the natural mudflow, indicating something extraordinary at this site,' said William Crabtree, the lead soil scientist on the project. 'These are not the readings you'd expect from undisturbed geologic formations.'
Alongside the soil analysis, a re-examination of 3D GPR scans conducted in 2019 has uncovered distinct architectural patterns, the group reported. Using advanced imaging tools, researchers identified a 234-foot-long corridor and symmetrical, right-angled features as deep as 20 feet, which appear to resemble rooms or hallways.
'The presence of these right-angled formations strongly suggests intelligent design,' said Andrew Jones, the lead investigator of the scans. 'Natural geology doesn't typically create structures like this.'
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'The re-analysis confirms what we suspected: these are not random shapes in the mudflow. The presence of hallways and room-like structures points to a man-made origin for the boat shape,' Jones said.
The Durupinar formation measures 515 feet in length — consistent with the biblical measurements of Noah's Ark — and lies near Mount Ararat, the traditional site linked to the flood narrative.
Unlike the surrounding volcanic terrain, the site displays unique soil chemistry and geometric subsurface features that continue to intrigue researchers and biblical archaeologists alike.
The Noah's Ark Scans team plans to conduct further testing, including more advanced geophysical surveys and potential core drilling in 2025 and Ark Scans is a joint initiative with Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University and international researchers.
'This is not just about archaeology,' Jones added. 'It's about using science to explore one of the world's oldest stories.'
NewsNation interviewed the site's lead researcher. See more on that here.
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