Durupınar Formation researchers report potential man-made structures in Turkey

An international research team, including the organization Noah’s Ark Scans and archaeologists from Sivas Cumhuriyet University, is conducting investigations at the Durupınar Formation in eastern Turkey. The 157-meter-long, boat-shaped structure is located near Mount Ararat and has been a subject of interest regarding its potential connection to the biblical Noah’s Ark.

Recent geophysical surveys using ground-penetrating radar (GPR), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and LiDAR have identified subsurface anomalies. Researchers report finding organized internal features, including corridors, chambers, and right angles, which they suggest may indicate a man-made structure rather than a purely natural geological formation. Additionally, soil samples have shown higher concentrations of organic material within the structure compared to the surrounding area.

During the 2026 field season, drilling was conducted at depths of up to 18 meters. One drill bit reportedly broke against a hard layer that researchers hypothesize could be petrified wood, though laboratory results are still pending. While the team describes the findings as extraordinary, they emphasize that these results are preliminary and do not yet provide definitive archaeological proof of the biblical vessel.