A team of researchers from Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ), Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University (AİÇÜ, Turkey), and Andrews University (USA) spent the past year collecting and analyzing samples they believe contain remnants of Noah’s Ark.
Archaeologists say they’ve taken another step toward solving the mystery around the supposed burial site of the legendary biblical vessel. In the area of Doğubayazıt, in Turkey’s Ağrı province, scientists have been investigating a ship-shaped burial mound for the past year. They collected and examined stones and soil that contained clay and marine deposits, which the team says indicate possible human activity in the area. The researchers say this activity may have coincided with the biblical Great Flood about 5,000 years ago.
What the Researchers Discovered
The Bible states that Noah’s Ark came to rest “on the mountains of Ararat” after a 150-day flood. The waters covered the earth and all living things that did not enter the wooden vessel. The biblical ship is described as measuring “300 cubits, 50 cubits, and 30 cubits,” which translates to about 157 meters long, 26 meters wide, and 16 meters high.
This geological site in mountainous Ağrı province has been on scientists’ radar since the mound was discovered in 1956, and it’s only now receiving archaeological attention, the Daily Mail reported.
When the team began fieldwork in December 2022, the Turkish-American archaeologists collected 30 rock and soil samples for analysis at the İTÜ laboratory. Afterward, they drew some bold conclusions.
Professor Faruk Kaya, vice-rector of AİÇÜ, said, “According to the initial results of the research, human activity in the region has been ongoing since the Neolithic period, between 5500 and 3000 BC.” The team believes the Great Flood began around 5,000 years ago. Professor Kaya added that the researchers need more work before they can confidently identify the ark’s location.
Many scientists question a literal interpretation of the Noah’s Ark story.
The biblical narrative says Noah built the enormous ship from “gopher wood” at God’s command. God judged Noah to be the only righteous person worth saving, so the ark carried Noah, his family, and the animals to safety from the Great Flood.
