A team of American researchers has uncovered new evidence that may strengthen the hypothesis that the remains of Noah's Ark exist in the Durupinar geological formation south of Mount Ararat in Türkiye.
This site is one of the most controversial places among researchers and those interested in the story of the flood, as some see it as just a natural rock formation, while others believe that it may actually be the remains of the ship that saved humanity and animals from the great flood more than 4,300 years ago, according to the biblical narrative.
The Durupinar formation is located 18 miles (29 kilometers) south of Mount Ararat, the highest peak in Turkey, and was unknown to the modern world until less than a century ago, after heavy rains and earthquakes that struck the region in 1948 exposed the surrounding mud, before it was discovered by a Kurdish shepherd.
The Bible indicates that Noah’s ark came to rest on Mount Ararat after a flood that lasted 150 days and inundated the earth. It also states that the ark was built of cypress wood and contained interior rooms and three levels to house Noah, his family, and pairs of animals.
According to the measurements mentioned in the Book of Genesis, the ship was 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high, which is approximately 157 meters long, 26 meters wide, and 16 meters high, dimensions that some researchers believe correspond to the shape of the current site.
In this context, Andrew Jones, an independent researcher on the "Noah's Ark Survey" project, used ground-penetrating radar to reveal what he described as a network of converging passages and tunnels in a central hollow chamber he called "the vestibule."
Jones told GB News that the underground voids discovered are not random, but rather lined up in a clear pattern, adding that these tunnels are consistent with the idea of having levels and internal chambers as mentioned in the biblical text.
He explained that other studies using infrared thermal imaging also showed indications of a structure buried deep in the soil, supporting the hypothesis that the site is not just a natural geological formation.
Jones noted that during 2024 his team collected about 88 samples from inside and outside the site, and soil analyses showed a significant increase in potassium levels, which may indicate the decomposition of huge quantities of wood over time.
The team also uncovered angled structures up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) below the surface, features that researchers believe may represent chambers located beneath a deck-like platform.
Jones said these findings do not resemble what one would expect to find in a solid rock mass or random clay deposits, but rather appear more like the structure of a huge, man-made boat, consistent with the specifications mentioned for Noah's Ark.
In an additional observation, the researchers noted the difference in color of the grass growing inside the formation compared to the surrounding area, suggesting that this variation may indicate a difference in the internal structure of the soil, and perhaps a human origin for the site.
William Crabtree, a member of the team, added that a tunnel extends from one end of the formation towards the middle, and is wide enough to walk inside, which reinforces the hypothesis of the existence of real internal voids.
Jones emphasized that the team's ultimate goal is not limited to soil tests or radar scanning, but actually getting inside the site by drilling, taking deep samples, and inserting cameras to explore what is inside.
He concluded by saying that the team will continue working at the site during the next season, hoping to find evidence that will resolve one of history's most controversial mysteries.
