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Dig this possible ark-aeological breakthrough.
A team of researchers claims to be on the brink of solving one of the Bible’s greatest mysteries — the final resting place of Noah’s Ark.
Armed with new soil tests and radar scans, the group known as Noah’s Ark Scans claims to be closer than ever to proving the legendary vessel is buried in the mountains of eastern Turkey — roughly 30 kilometers south of Mount Ararat.
Their target? A 538-foot-long geological formation known as the Durupinar site — a boat-shaped mound said to eerily mirror the exact dimensions of the ark described in the Book of Genesis.
The remote location has long been rumored to hold the fossilized remains of the boat. Though Noah’s Ark is central to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, its existence remains unproven.
Top researcher Andrew Jones told The Sun that while full-scale excavation hasn’t begun, the team is laying the groundwork through a series of non-invasive tests and scientific analysis.
“The location lies in an active earth flow with harsh winters, so protecting the area is our top priority,” Jones said.
“Over the next few years, our Turkish university partners will conduct non-destructive tests like soil sampling, radar scans and other methods to determine if the structures we’ve detected are truly man-made or simply natural formations,” the leading scientist continued.
Jones noted that they will “consider excavating” only after they have collected sufficient evidence and established an appropriate preservation strategy.
Initial soil samples taken by Turkish geologist Dr. Memet Salih Bayraktutan revealed some eyebrow-raising results.
The team collected 22 samples from inside and around the supposed “ark,” then sent them to Ataturk University for analysis.
Researchers found that the suspected structure had lower pH levels, higher organic matter — and more potassium — inside compared to outside the formation.
“These changes are consistent with rotting wood,” the team explained.
Another curious clue? Grass within the boat-shaped site turns yellow and fades earlier in the season than the surrounding area — something researchers believe points to a man-made origin rather than a natural one.
A 2019 ground-penetrating radar (GPR) scan of the formation added even more fuel to the ancient fire.
Using dual-frequency radar pulses, researchers detected rectangular shapes about 22 feet below the surface — potentially buried chambers or construction elements.
“We also plan to take core samples from across the formation, which should help us confirm whether the right angles and geometric patterns we see on the GPR scans are man-made structures or just natural formations,” Jones said.
He added that so far, their results “support” their theories.”The soil tests suggest this formation isn’t simply part of the surrounding mud flow — it’s a distinct object,” he continued.
A reexamination of the radar scans even hinted at a hallway and central chamber inside the formation — a detail that has the team itching to lower a camera through drilled access points without disturbing the site.
“It’s a non-invasive peek into the past,” Jones said of the GPR technology.
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