ISTANBUL: An international team of researchers is investigating a boat-shaped geological formation near Mount Ararat in Türkiye, saying preliminary findings could point to the presence of ancient organic material at the site traditionally associated with the biblical and Quranic account of Noah’s Ark.
The research is being conducted at the Durupinar formation near Mount Ararat, where a boat-shaped structure has attracted speculation about Noah’s Ark for decades. However, researchers have stressed that the findings remain preliminary and do not conclusively prove that the structure is the remains of the ancient ark.
According to reports in British media, researchers collected around 1,000 soil samples from different parts of the site and analyzed them for evidence of carbon and other materials.
The team says carbon and organic material were detected in soil samples from the formation, while similar samples collected several yards away did not show the same findings. Researchers believe the presence of organic material could be consistent with decayed ancient wood, although no actual wooden remains have so far been recovered.
New ground-penetrating radar surveys have also reportedly identified underground features that researchers say do not appear to correspond entirely with the surrounding natural geological structure. Radar equipment was used to examine areas up to about 20 feet below the surface.
Researchers further reported finding organic material and potassium in some soil samples, which they say could be associated with the deterioration of ancient wooden material.
The Durupinar formation has been linked to speculation about Noah’s Ark since aerial photographs of the site emerged in 1959. Local reports have also attributed the exposure of the unusual formation to heavy rainfall and earthquakes in the region in 1948, which caused surrounding soil to erode.
The research team announced further radar survey work in August 2026 and is continuing to analyze the collected data. Drilling is also reportedly being carried out at selected locations to determine what lies beneath the unusual formation.
While members of the research team believe the site could contain Noah’s Ark, they acknowledge that the evidence is not yet conclusive. They have said there remains a small possibility that the findings could have another explanation.
Further geological analysis, excavation and examination of any material recovered from beneath the formation would be needed before claims about the discovery of Noah’s Ark could be scientifically established.