A team investigating a boat-shaped formation in eastern Turkey says new evidence is strengthening its case that the site could hold the remains of Noah’s Ark. The formation, known as the Durupınar site, is an approximately 538-foot-long geological structure near Mount Ararat. Its shape and proximity to the region identified in the biblical account have fascinated Ark hunters for decades.
The boat-shaped formation was first discovered in 1959, and speculation over a possible connection to Noah’s Ark has followed ever since. Critics have maintained that the formation is naturally occurring, but Noah’s Ark Scans founder Andrew Jones said recent drilling, soil sampling and ground-penetrating radar have given his team new reasons to challenge that conclusion.
Drilling Challenges the Natural-Rock Theory
“We’ve core drilled… over 12 locations. We did not find bedrock at all,” Jones said. He was responding to past criticism that the scans could be interpreted in multiple ways, including as a solid mass of rock, a syncline or a block of bedrock.
The drilling uncovered rich black soil, which researchers plan to test for organic content this winter at Ankara University. “Noah’s Ark was a giant wooden boat, according to the Bible,” he said. “As wood decays, you’re gonna find elevated organic matter. This year, as we drilled into the formation, we did not find a solid rock layer, like the critics said. But we did find large deposits of highly rich black soil that has hopefully high organics.”
What the Soil Survey Found
Jones also pointed to a 2024 soil survey that he said contained three times more organic matter inside the boat-shaped formation than samples collected just outside it. That difference, he argued, supports the idea that the soil comes from decayed wood rather than natural processes.
The researchers hope the analysis will help determine whether there are signs of human activity or materials consistent with decayed wood beneath the formation. The partnership with Sivas University involves the Turkish institution conducting the soil analysis.
The Case So Far
The Durupınar formation has been a focus for Ark hunters for decades. Its shape and location near Mount Ararat match the region described in the biblical account. The discovery in 1959 drew attention immediately, and the site has remained a subject of debate ever since.
The team’s approach has been methodical. Ground-penetrating radar has been used alongside the drilling, giving researchers a picture of what lies below the surface. The combination of techniques is designed to build a case that the formation is man-made rather than natural.
The Limits of the Evidence
The team’s case rests on a few key claims. Here is what they have presented so far:
- Core drilling at 12 locations found no bedrock
- Rich black soil was uncovered at those sites
- A 2024 soil survey showed three times more organic matter inside the formation than outside
- Soil samples will be tested for organic content this winter at Ankara University
Each of these points is preliminary. The drilling has not found bedrock, which challenges the natural-rock theory. The black soil is rich, which fits the hypothesis that it comes from decayed wood. The soil survey shows a difference in organic content, which supports the team’s interpretation.
But none of this is proof. The soil tests have not been completed. The organic content of the samples has not been confirmed. The interpretation of the scans remains open to challenge. And the formation itself has been disputed for decades, with critics maintaining that its shape is natural.
| Stage | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1959 | Formation discovered |
| 2024 | Soil survey conducted |
| Current | Drilling at 12 locations |
| Winter | Soil testing at Ankara University |
The team’s confidence is notable. Jones told Fox News’ “Saturday in America” that “in archaeology, you deal with probabilities, and we’re inching towards where we believe we will have confirmation this winter after our soil analysis is done with Sivas University, who’s our partner in this.” That is a measured statement, but it is still a claim about confirmation that has not happened yet.
What the Team Is Saying
Jones framed the project as a careful scientific investigation. “In archaeology, you deal with probabilities, and we’re inching towards where we believe we will have confirmation this winter after our soil analysis is done with Sivas University, who’s our partner in this,” he said.
He acknowledged the criticism directly. “They’ve criticized in the past, saying all those scans you can interpret different ways, ‘This is a solid mass of rock, a syncline or a block of bedrock,'” he said. His response was direct: the drilling found no bedrock.
The team’s position is that they are moving from probability to confirmation. The winter soil tests will be the moment of truth. Until then, the evidence remains promising but unproven.
Our View
This is a case worth following, but it is not a settled one. The team has presented evidence that challenges the natural-rock theory, and the soil tests could confirm their hypothesis. But the tests have not happened yet.
The 12-drill-site finding is notable. Finding no bedrock at multiple locations raises questions about the formation’s composition. The rich black soil is also intriguing. Organic-rich soil could come from decayed wood, which would support the Ark hypothesis.
The 2024 survey showed three times more organic matter inside the formation than outside. The soil tests at Ankara University will reveal whether the team’s hypothesis holds up.
The team’s confidence is understandable. They have invested significant effort into the project, and they believe they are close to confirming their hypothesis. But science requires verification through testing.
For now, the Durupınar formation remains a subject of curiosity and debate. The team’s work continues, and the winter tests will reveal whether they have found what they are looking for.
Source material: “Noah's Ark researchers ‘inching towards’ confirmation after drilling challenges natural-rock theory,” Fox News.
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