Christian author and blogger Rebecca Hunter-Kelm, who lives near the Durupınar site in Turkey that some researchers believe could hold the ruins of Noah's Ark, described the possibility that she and her family 'live on the same soil' as the Biblical figure as 'amazing.'
Excitement at the Durupınar site
Hunter-Kelm lives in Turkey with her family and has experienced first-hand the excitement surrounding the Durupınar site. An organisation called Noah's Ark Scans claims to have used radar to show the area contains structural layers, straight lines, right-angle intersections and large cavity-like spaces at multiple depths, suggesting something man-made had once laid there.
The speculation has not gone unnoticed in the nation where it is taking place, with Hunter-Kelm describing a wide range of reactions from Turkey's diverse and multicultural population.
Mixed reactions in Turkey
In an article published on Woman Alive, the author explained: "Although Türkiye has a predominantly Muslim population, it’s officially a secular state, so Turks’ opinions on the Noah’s ark excavation vary across a spectrum. Most of my friends, secular or religious, believe the story because Noah is a prophet in Islam, and the Qur’an includes an account of Noah’s ark."
As for Hunter-Kelm, the Christian writer admits to being "really excited by the latest reports", adding that if it does turn out to be the ark it could provide "the missing piece for many people (Christian and otherwise) who have struggled to believe Scripture".
Faith not dependent on proof
However, she is adamant that her faith does not rely on proof. She wrote: "for Christians who do believe it is true, our faith doesn’t depend on the evidence coming back affirmative. If it does, however, it can be a wonderful affirmation of what we already know in our hearts."
Despite this, the author and her family are feeling giddy at the thought of living in such a potentially biblically significant place. She wrote: "My family and I will be waiting with bated breath for news next spring. How amazing it will be if we really do live on the same soil Noah and his family walked on."
Historians remain uncertain
Historians are not certain that Noah's Ark ever existed, but according to the Bible, the boat was used to save humanity and every kind of animal from annihilation during a catastrophic flood that some biblical chronologies place more than 4,300 years ago.
Speaking to National Geographic about the project, Professor Jodi Magness, an archaeologist at the University of North Carolina and expert on Noah's Ark, said: "Archaeology is not treasure hunting. It’s not about finding a specific object. No legitimate archaeologist does this."
