Durupınar Formation investigation suggests man-made structure in Turkey

An international team of researchers is conducting an extensive archaeological and geophysical investigation of the Durupınar Formation near Mount Ararat in Turkey. The 157-meter-long, boat-shaped structure has been a subject of interest since its identification in 1959.

Recent studies using ground-penetrating radar (GPR), LiDAR, and electrical resistivity tomography have identified subsurface features including straight lines, right-angle intersections, and cavity-like spaces at various depths. Researchers from Sivas Cumhuriyet University and the organization Noah’s Ark Scans claim these findings suggest the formation may be a man-made object rather than a natural geological occurrence, such as limestone shaped by glaciers.

Fieldwork in 2026 has included deep core drilling up to 18 meters to collect soil and organic samples for laboratory analysis, including radiocarbon dating. While some researchers suggest the findings could confirm the location of the biblical Noah’s Ark, the team emphasizes that scientific verification is still required to distinguish between ancient human construction and natural phenomena.