Has Noah's Ark been found? A geological structure in the shape of a boat appeared in Turkey 5,000 years ago (6 photos + 1 video)

According to the Bible, Noah's Ark saved mankind and animals from certain destruction during the Great Flood. Now, 5,000 years after the flood, scientists have finally found the legendary vessel.





The Durupinar Formation is a 163-meter-long geological structure made of a type of iron ore called limonite. It has long attracted the attention of researchers because its shape almost exactly matches the description of the ark in the Bible.



New evidence suggests that the formation did indeed survive a devastating flood 5,000 years ago, confirming the biblical account of a flood that swept the world between 3000 and 5500 BC.

"Our research has shown that the region was teeming with life during this period and was submerged at some point. This raises the possibility that a catastrophic event occurred," experts say.





Since 2021, Istanbul Technical University, Agri Ibrahim Sesen University and Andrews University (USA) have been studying the formation.

At the Seventh International Symposium on Mount Ararat and Noah's Ark, scientists presented new evidence that the structure is an ancient ship.

The researchers took 30 soil and rock samples and sent them to Istanbul Technical University. The analysis revealed clay-like materials, as well as marine sediments and remains of marine life such as mollusks. The samples were dated between 3,500 and 5,000 years old.

This suggests that the Durupinar Formation and surrounding area were submerged during the period corresponding to the biblical events.



Professor Faruk Kaya, lead researcher, said: “Based on the initial results, it can be concluded that there has been human activity in the region since the Chalcolithic period.”



Aside from the new data, the most compelling evidence is the formation's shape and location. The Bible tells Noah to build a vessel "three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high."

While biblical units of measurement are difficult to translate, experts believe they correspond to the standard Egyptian cubit, which is 52.4 centimeters (21.5 in). That would make the ark 157 meters (52.5 ft) long, close to the Durupinar formation's 163 meters (53.3 ft).

The Bible also says the ark landed on the Ararat mountains. The geological structure is located only 30 km from the mountain. These factors have led many to speculate that the formation is actually petrified wood from a ship.



However, the theory has been heavily criticized by geologists who believe that the Durupinar formation is merely a natural formation.