Scientists from Turkey and the United States have uncovered signs of human activity near the alleged location of Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat, Turkey's highest peak. The discovery could provide new insights into the biblical story of the great flood.
The research team, including experts from Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University (AÇÜ) and Istanbul Technical University, analysed samples from the Durupinar Formation, a boat-shaped geological feature. Professor Faruk Kaya, vice rector at AÇÜ, told Turkish publication Hurriyet: 'According to the first findings obtained from the studies, there have been human activities in the region since the Chalcolithic period between the years 5500 and 3000 BC.'
The biblical account describes the ark as measuring 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high—equivalent to up to 515 feet in length. The flood is said to have occurred around 5,000 years ago. Professor Kaya noted: 'It is known that the flood of Prophet Noah went back 5,000 years ago. In terms of dating, it is stated that there was life in this region as well.'
However, the team cautioned that further work is needed to confirm whether the formation is indeed the ark. 'It is not possible to say that the ship is here with the dating. We need to work for a long time to reveal this,' Kaya added.
Other archaeologists have disputed the findings, arguing that the Durupinar Formation is a natural geological structure, not a shipwreck. Dr Andrew Snelling, a young Earth creationist, previously stated that Mount Ararat could not be the ark's location because the mountain formed after the flood waters receded.
