There is a boat-shaped formation in Turkey’s Ararat mountains, that some believe may be the site where Noah’s ark came to rest after the flood.

Referred to as Durupinar, it is located 18 miles (29 kms) south of Mount Ararat. Many believe that the Ark rested on Mount Ararat. However, this is not the case. The Bible states that the ark came to rest in the mountains (plural) of Ararat not on Mount Ararat itself (Genesis 8:4).

Recently a group of researchers released the results of underground scans done at the site to determine if there was evidence beneath the surface that backs up claims this is the Ark, the New York Post reports.

First this unusual formation matches the Ark’s dimensions found in the Bible. “It is exactly what you’d expect to find if this were a man-made boat, consistent with the biblical specifications of Noah’s Ark,” said Andrew Jones, a member of the research team.

According to the Biblical record, the ark had three decks. Noah was instructed to “make it with lower, second, and third decks” (Genesis 6:16 NASV).

These scans showed that this formation has three layers, which fits the Biblical description. This included a 13 foot long tunnel going through the center of the structure and as well “central and side corridors or hallways running through the boat.”

At the 20 foot level they found several ‘angular structures.’ The researchers suggested this may be where Noah and his family lived while on the ark.

Based on Genesis 7:11 and Genesis 8:13-14, Noah and his family were inside the Ark for 371 days, including the flood period and the time needed for the water to recede. This means a living area was absolutely necessary.

The researchers also noticed that the grass growing inside the Ark like formation was a different color than the grass outside. This suggested that the soil inside had a different chemical make up.

An analysis found that the soil inside the formation had twice the amount of organic matter, 40% more potassium and lower levels of Ph.

“If you know soil science — as I’m a soil scientist — you’ll understand that potassium levels, organic matter, and pH can all be influenced by decaying organic material,” said research team member William Crabtree.

“If this was a wooden boat and the wood had rotted over time, we would expect to see elevated levels of potassium, changes in pH, and higher organic content — and that’s exactly what we’re finding,” he continued.

But there is other evidence as well..

Site Held Religious Significance to Ancient Peoples

Over the years several Arzap stones have been found in the area. These ‘holy stones’ associated with pagan worship are common throughout Armenia and Turkey. This suggests that at some point in the ancient past this was considered an important religious site.

Was There Enough Room on the Ark?

Of course, many wonder if the Bible was big enough to hold all the animals, birds, and reptiles on the world as the Bible claims.

First the Bible states that two of every “kind” of animal on the earth boarded the Ark (Genesis 6:19). This is an important distinction. Because it means that Noah did not take a pair of foxes, wolves, coyotes, jackals etc on the ark. Only one pair of canines was needed.

Secondly in cases of larger animals, you would not have to take full sized adults, younger and smaller would have been sufficient. But even with this was it big enough to hold two of every kind of animal, bird and reptile in the world.

In 2014, a group of physics students at the University of Leicester in England determined, based on the size and buoyancy of the wood used, that the Ark was more than big enough to hold the 35,000 species of animals, birds and reptiles.

As for the dinosaurs, I believe the Bible has a different explanation on what happened to them.

End Time Implications

But aside from these factors, there is a curious connection to the end times.

The site was first discovered on May 19, 1948. Israel officially became a nation five days earlier on May 14, 1948.

The Bible is clear that the restoration of the nation of Israel in the Promised Land is a key sign post for the return of Christ. But, Jesus also stated that the days leading to His second return would be like the Days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-39).

Maybe it is just a coincidence that this formation was discovered just a few days after Israel became a nation.

But this is not conclusive evidence. But it is an interesting correlation.