A team of international researchers investigating the Durupınar Formation in Turkey, a geological feature long speculated to be the remains of Noah's Ark, has announced new findings that challenge the notion of it being a solid mass of natural rock. Advanced radar surveys have revealed subsurface anomalies and distinct internal layers within the 515-foot-long formation near Mount Ararat.
These preliminary results, obtained using BakhtarRadar—a system developed through U.S. Air Force research—suggest a more complex structure beneath the surface than previously understood. Dr. Khosrow Bakhtar, leading the survey, stated that his team is carefully evaluating the data to plan core drilling operations. The goal is to distinguish between natural rock formations and potentially preserved man-worked timbers.
Andrew Jones, founder of Noah's Ark Scans and a member of the research team, expressed optimism about the findings, noting that the deeper readings have yet to reveal a clear boundary between the formation and the underlying bedrock. "We believe the Durupınar Formation is the remains of Noah’s Ark, and that is exactly why we want to put it through the strongest scientific testing we can," Jones said.
However, the researchers acknowledge that radar anomalies alone do not constitute proof of an archaeological origin. The team anticipates releasing a technical report in the coming weeks, identifying the strongest anomalies and pinpointing optimal locations for core drilling to gather physical evidence.
The Durupınar Formation, located about 18 miles south of Mount Ararat, became known less than a century ago. Local reports indicate it was revealed in May 1948 after heavy rains and earthquakes washed away surrounding mud, leading to its discovery by a shepherd. The site's proximity to a mountain whose peak some believe matches the ark's described shape and dimensions has fueled debate.
According to biblical measurements from Genesis 6:14, Noah's Ark was to be 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high—approximately 515 feet long, 86 feet wide, and 52 feet tall. Jones has previously used ground-penetrating radar (GPR) since 2016, suggesting the discovery of what he interprets as a network of "corridors" leading to a central chamber, consistent with the biblical description of the ark containing multiple levels to shelter Noah, his family, and pairs of animals.
Further studies have reportedly employed infrared thermography (IRT), a heat-sensing technology, which has also suggested the presence of a ship-shaped hull buried underground. In 2024, Jones reported uncovering angular structures as deep as 20 feet below the surface, features he believes could represent rooms below a deck-like platform. Soil testing in the area has also shown unusually high levels of potassium, which the team suggests could be consistent with decomposed organic material.
William Crabtree, another member of Noah's Ark Scans, noted the apparent existence of a tunnel running from the formation's tip toward its middle, large enough for passage. The team's stated ultimate goal is to gain access inside the structure through core drilling to obtain samples from the substructure and voids, potentially using cameras to explore these areas.
While many scientists maintain that the Durupınar Formation is a natural geological feature, proponents like Jones and his team are pursuing rigorous scientific testing to investigate its potential archaeological significance.
