DOĞUBAYAZIT, Türkiye — Archaeologists in Turkey have made a startling discovery: a 5,000-year-old boat-shaped mound located in the Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı. The Durupinar formation is situated less than two miles from the Iran-Turkey border, and is believed by some to be the remains of Noah’s Ark with the narrative in alignment with the legends from Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
The discovery was made by the Mount Ararat and Noah’s Ark Research Team, which is comprised of three Turkish and American universities. The team began excavating the site in 2021, and has since extracted aged rock and soil samples that date back to 5500-3000 BC. Their project aimed to explore the geological formations and reveal insights into ancient history.
“Their project, which commenced in 2021, aimed to explore the geological formations in the region and reveal insights into ancient history,” said Turkish newspaper Hürriyet.
While the team has not yet found any conclusive evidence that the mound is Noah’s Ark, they say that the findings are “very promising.” They also point out that the mound is located in the same region where the Bible says Noah’s Ark came to rest after the Great Flood.
The research team’s excavation efforts revealed the presence of human habitation in the region dating back to the Chalcolithic period (Chalcolithic eras are also known as Copper Ages and Eneolithic eras due to the use of smelted copper, preceding the Bronze Age and follows the Neolithic Era)
“Further extensive research and analysis are needed to reveal conclusive evidence,” said AICU Vice Rector, Professor Faruk Kaya while sharing insights on the significance of their findings.
According to Genesis, the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat, which are now situated in eastern Turkey.
The discovery of the boat-shaped mound has sparked a great deal of excitement among archaeologists and religious scholars alike. However, some experts have cautioned that it is too early to say for sure whether the mound is actually Noah’s Ark. They say that more research is needed to confirm the age and purpose of the mound.
