A team of American researchers believes they may have discovered new evidence pointing to the biblical story of Noah’s Ark, using advanced ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology at the Durupınar Formation in eastern Turkey. The findings, which reveal angular structures, layered formations, and unusual chemical traces beneath the surface, have reignited global interest in one of Scripture’s most enduring mysteries.
Discovery Near the Mountains of Ararat
According to Daily Express, the team led by independent researcher Andrew Jones from Noah’s Ark Scans has been studying the Durupınar Formation—an unusual boat-shaped mound about 18 miles south of Mount Ararat, long associated with the resting place of the Ark described in the Book of Genesis.
Jones told the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) that the radar analysis revealed what appears to be “the chemical imprint, pieces of wood in the ground, and the shape of a hall.” The scans reportedly identified a 13-foot passageway through the center of the formation, along with three distinct layers underground, an intriguing detail since Genesis 6:16 describes the Ark as having “lower, second, and third decks.”
Physical and Chemical Clues
Beyond structural evidence, researchers noted environmental differences within the site. Jones observed that the grass growing inside the boat-shaped formation differed in color from the surrounding area, suggesting a possible man-made origin. Fellow researcher William Crabtree, a soil scientist, added that soil samples collected inside the structure showed double the organic matter and 40 percent higher potassium levels than nearby soil.
Crabtree explained that these conditions could result from decaying wood: “If this was a wooden boat and the wood had rotted over time, we would expect to see elevated levels of potassium, changes in pH, and higher organic content—and that’s exactly what we’re finding,” he told Daily Express.
Biblical Echoes and Continuing Debate
The Durupınar site has sparked debate since its discovery in 1948, when erosion exposed the peculiar outline after heavy rains. The Bible recounts that Noah’s Ark came to rest “upon the mountains of Ararat” after the flood (Genesis 8:4), which destroyed all life outside the vessel. While many geologists maintain that the formation is a natural rock feature, Jones’ team believes their data supports a man-made structure consistent with biblical dimensions, roughly 515 feet long, 86 feet wide, and 52 feet high.
Jones emphasized: “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. 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.”
Faith and Science in Conversation
For believers, the prospect of uncovering physical evidence tied to Noah’s story carries profound theological meaning. The Ark symbolizes salvation, obedience, and God’s covenant with humanity—a sign of divine protection through the storm.
The team plans to continue its work by conducting core drilling and additional radar scans to compare interior and exterior soil samples. “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.”
Whether this discovery ultimately confirms or merely deepens the mystery, it invites both scientists and people of faith to look once more toward the mountains of Ararat, where, according to Scripture, a new beginning once took root.
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