"Noah's Ark" claims under scientific investigation: internationally supported project begins
The Durupınar formation in Üzengili village, Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı, publicly known as "Noah's Ark", is now the subject of a comprehensive study with the participation of international scientists.
The multidisciplinary project, led by Sivas Cumhuriyet University, will carry out geological and geophysical studies in the region.
Identified in 1959 by Captain İlhan Durupınar, the Durupınar formation has long attracted researchers from many countries because of its boat-like shape, its resemblance to the vessel dimensions described in scripture, and the religious significance of the surrounding region. Despite this, no comprehensive interdisciplinary scientific study had been carried out at the site until now.
Project led by Prof. Dr. Cenker Atila
The international research project was prepared by Prof. Dr. Cenker Atila of the Department of Archaeology at Sivas Cumhuriyet University. Andrew Mark Jones and Dr. Evrensel Barış Berkant serve as deputy directors.
Official support and permits from three institutions
The project was submitted to the Erzurum Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change through a letter from Sivas Cumhuriyet University dated 6 May 2026, and was officially approved on 21 May 2026.
As the research area lies within national park boundaries, the study was also authorised by the 13th Regional Directorate of the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
The project is additionally carried out with the scientific and technical support of Noah's Ark Scans, a research organisation based in the United States. The work is therefore conducted in cooperation with Sivas Cumhuriyet University, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, and Noah's Ark Scans.
Scientists from five countries taking part
Fieldwork began on 29 June 2026 with the participation of approximately 20 scientists and students from five different countries. The work is scheduled to continue until 11 September 2026.
In the first phase, GPS coordinates of the area are established, a grid system is created, detailed maps are produced and two and three dimensional digital models of the site are generated. The formation is then scanned in detail using high precision ground penetrating radar systems.
Core samples to be taken
Following the evaluation of the radar results, soil samples will be collected from selected points and core samples will be extracted using deep dry drilling. Core and soil analyses will continue under laboratory conditions throughout the winter months.
All phases of the research are planned to be completed during 2027, and the scientific data obtained will be published in a book titled "Durupınar Formation 2026 Research". The results will also be shared with the academic community in three separate international scientific papers.
Researchers state that the aim of the study is to examine the long debated Durupınar formation with scientific methods and to present the resulting findings for evaluation by the international scientific community.