Studies begin in Ağrı to find Noah's Ark

Scientists have launched a study to uncover the remains of Noah's Ark, which is believed to be in Ağrı. Archaeologists, who state that they have extremely precise evidence regarding the resting place of the historic vessel, are continuing their work. While the initial findings from rock and soil samples taken from the area believed to contain the remains of Noah's Ark have been announced, it has been determined that there has been human activity in the region dating back to the period between 5500 and 3000 BC.

HOW DID IT START?

On September 11, 1959, Captain İlhan Durupınar, a map engineer who was flying over the region to map the Eastern Anatolia Region with an aircraft belonging to the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), discovered the terrain between the villages of Telçeker and Üzengili in the Doğubayazıt district. After Durupınar's map, the Doğubayazıt district was flooded with visitors. Archaeologists trying to prove the reality of Noah's Ark have flocked to the region for years to continue their research.

'Mount Ararat and Noah's Ark Research Team' was established.

As landslides increase every year, causing giant fissures in the remains that are under threat, the 'Mount Ararat and Noah's Ark Research Team' was established through a collaboration between AİÇÜ and İTÜ to investigate the deterioration in the structure of the remains.

The group, which includes academics specialized in geophysical, chemical, and geoarchaeological research, obtained numerous samples consisting of soil and rock fragments during their examinations in the region. The remains, which were sent to the İTÜ laboratory for research, were dated after approximately 1 year of work. According to the initial results, it was determined that the samples taken from the region were clay materials, marine materials, and marine products due to their structure.

AİÇÜ Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Faruk Kaya stated the following in his statement regarding the laboratory results: "Within the scope of the project we carried out with Istanbul Technical University in 2022, the results of the ongoing laboratory studies regarding the area between the villages of Telçeker and Üzengili, which is believed to be the remains of Noah's Ark, have been partially determined. Since it is a long-term study, the laboratory work has just been completed. However, according to the initial findings obtained from the studies conducted here, it is thought that there has been human activity in the region since the Chalcolithic period, that is, from the period between 5500 and 3000 BC.

It is known that the flood event of Prophet Noah also dates back 5 thousand years from today. It is stated that there was life in this region in terms of dating. This emerged in these laboratory results. It is not possible to say that the ship is here based on the dating. We need to work for a long time for this to be revealed. In the coming period, we have agreed to work together under the leadership of İTÜ, Andrew University, and AİÇÜ. In the future, the 3 universities will come together to form new commissions and continue their work in this field."