Biblical discovery: International team of scientists may have just found Noah’s Ark
Turkish newspaper Hürriyet says rock and soil samples from the site showed the presence of clay-like materials, marine materials and seafood
[Nov. 29, 2023: JD Shavit, The Brighter Side of News]
In what some are calling a discovery of biblical proportions, an international team of scientists may have found evidence pointing to the location of the legendary Noah’s Ark. (CREDIT: Shutterstock)
In what some are calling a discovery of biblical proportions, an international team of scientists may have found evidence pointing to the location of the legendary Noah’s Ark. Nestled in the eastern mountains of Turkey, recent findings shed light on the existence of humans at this site during the period between 5500 and 3000 BC.
According to a recent report in the Turkish newspaper Hürriyet, rock and soil samples from the site showed the presence of clay-like materials, marine materials and seafood. This suggests the area might have been underwater at some point, fueling the theory that this could be the resting place of Noah’s Ark.
The research collaboration includes experts from three renowned universities from Turkey and the U.S. who began investigating the site in 2021. The group, named the “Mount Ararat and Noah’s Ark Research Team,” was specifically formed to conduct scientific research on these ruins. Their initial study was launched in December 2022.
For those unfamiliar with the region, the site is less than 2 miles from the Iran-Turkey border in the Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı. There lies the Durupinar formation, an impressive 538-foot geographical feature composed of limonite. Some believe it to be the petrified remains of Noah's Ark due to its shape and size.
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In an exciting turn of events, scientists collected nearly 30 samples from this formation and sent them to Istanbul Technical University for analysis. The results were astonishing. The age of the samples was determined to be between 3500 and 5000 years old, which coincides with the widely accepted timeline of the biblical flood.
Prof. Dr. Faruk Kaya, the Vice Rector of Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, elaborated on the findings. “According to the initial results, it's believed there were human activities in this region since the Chalcolithic period,” he said. This period spans from 5500 to 3000 BC.
Historical and Religious Significance
The Durupinar site’s significance is enhanced by its proximity to the Greater Mount Ararat summit – only 18 miles to the south. The Bible's Book of Genesis mentions that Noah’s Ark came to rest here after the global flood. This flood, according to the Bible, took place approximately 5,000 years ago.
Located less than 2 miles from the Iran-Turkey border, in the Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı lies the Durupinar formation. (CREDIT: Creative Commons)
The dimensions of the Durupinar formation are consistent with the biblical description of the Ark – "a length of three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits." The biblical account also recounts how God instructed Noah, then 600 years old, to construct the Ark and stock it with two of every animal species to survive the imminent global flood.
It's worth noting that not only Christianity but also Judaism and Islam reference the story of Noah and his Ark. However, the veracity of these tales remains a topic of debate among scientists.
A 1961 aerial view compared to a 2019 aerial view of the formation as landslides have damaged the structure over the years. (CREDIT: NoahsarkScans/Facebook)
Interestingly, the Durupinar formation wasn't a recent find. It was initially discovered by a Kurdish farmer in 1948. Later, in 1951, Turkish Army Captain Ilhan Durupinar identified the site while on a NATO mapping mission. This discovery was made public by the Noah’s Ark Scans project.
In a recent gathering, the 7th International Symposium on Mount Ararat and Noah’s Ark was held in the area. Speaking at the symposium, Prof. Dr. Kaya highlighted the significance of their findings. "An essential outcome of the symposium is the decision to conduct more research in Cudi and Ararat, known as the Mesopotamian region. Both are referenced in the Holy Quran and the Bible," he stated.
A modern-day version of the Ark on display on Mount Ararat as part of a global warming project by Greenpeace volunteers in 2007. (CREDIT: REUTERS)
This discovery has the potential to reshape our understanding of one of the most famous tales in religious history.
While it's too early to say with certainty that this is indeed the final resting place of Noah’s Ark, the evidence suggests that the story might have a basis in reality. The world will undoubtedly watch with bated breath as further research unveils more about this intriguing site.
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