A team of researchers from Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ), Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University (AİÇÜ, Turkey), and Andrews University (USA) has spent the past year collecting and analyzing samples that they believe contain remnants of Noah’s Ark.
Archaeologists believe they have taken another step toward uncovering the mystery surrounding the burial of the legendary biblical vessel. In the area of Doğubayazıt, located in Turkey’s Ağrı province, scientists have been investigating a burial mound shaped like a ship for the past year. Experts collected and examined samples of geological formations: stones and soil containing remnants of clay and marine deposits, which indicated possible human activity in the region. This activity coincided with the biblical Great Flood that occurred approximately 5,000 years ago.
What the Researchers Discovered
The Bible states that Noah’s Ark came to rest “on the mountains of Ararat” during the 150-day flood. The waters covered the Earth and all living things that did not enter the wooden vessel. The biblical ship was said to measure “300 cubits, 50 cubits, and 30 cubits,” which translates to about 157 meters long, 26 meters wide, and 16 meters high.
In fact, this geological site in the mountainous Ağrı province has been under close observation by scientists since the discovery of the mound in 1956. Since then, it has awaited archaeological investigation, as reported by the Daily Mail.
At the beginning of their work in December 2022, the Turkish-American team of archaeologists collected the first 30 samples of rock and soil fragments for analysis at the ITU laboratory. Following this, they made some rather bold conclusions.
Professor Faruk Kaya, Vice-Rector of AİÇÜ, noted, “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.” It is believed that the Great Flood began around 5,000 years ago. However, Professor Kaya stated that the team requires further research to confidently assert the location of Noah’s Ark.
It is worth noting that many scientists question the literal interpretation of the story of Noah’s Ark.
According to the biblical narrative, Noah built his enormous ship from gopher wood at God’s command. The Almighty considered Noah the only righteous man worth saving. Thus, the ark helped Noah, his family, and the animals of the world escape the Great Flood.