You could call it Radars of the Lost Ark.
American researchers believe they’ve unlocked one of the Bible’s greatest mysteries by using radar technology to map what could be the remains of Noah’s Ark.
“It’s exactly what you’d expect to find if this were a man-made boat, matching the biblical specifications of Noah’s Ark,” said Andrew Jones, an independent researcher, while unveiling the groundbreaking results of his multi-year project to the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN).
Jones is part of Noah’s Ark Scans, which he describes as a “loose group of individuals dedicated to conducting scientific research and promoting” the site of the Ark.
Jones and his team set out to answer the long-standing question of whether the legendary vessel lies buried in the mountains of eastern Turkey, about 18 miles south of Mount Ararat, the Bible’s described final resting place of the boat.
The precise location is the Durupinar site, a 538-foot-long, boat-shaped mound — matching the dimensions described in the Book of Genesis for the Ark that is said to have saved humanity and animals from a catastrophic flood over 4,300 years ago.
Although the theory that this site holds the legendary vessel — a key symbol in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam — remains disputed, recent scans suggest that it might indeed be the case.
Jones employed ground-penetrating radar to identify what seemed to be a 13-foot tunnel running through the center of the formation, according to the Daily Mail.
The same scans also revealed three distinct subterranean layers, which some believe closely resemble the Bible’s description of the Ark’s three decks — in other words, the structure was literally “ship-shaped.”
The Book of Genesis 6:16 states: “Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks.”
In addition, a fresh analysis of the radar data allegedly uncovered “central and side corridors or hallways running through the boat.”
“It’s exactly what you’d expect to find if this were a man-made boat, aligning with the biblical specifications of Noah’s Ark,” said Andrew Jones, an independent researcher with Noah’s Ark Scans, while describing the site (pictured here).
Considering the age of the supposed vessel, Jones said he doesn’t expect to find anything “fully preserved,” explaining that the remains are more likely a “chemical imprint, fragments of wood, and the outline of a hull in the ground.”
The team also discovered angular structures about 20 feet below the surface, which they believe could be living quarters beneath a deck-like layer — suggesting this might be more than just a natural geological formation, as many scientists have argued.
“This isn’t what you’d expect to see if the site were just a solid rock formation or the result of random mudflow debris,” Jones said, asserting that the features align with the Biblical description of Noah’s Ark.
But is this genuine evidence or merely a case of life imitating Ark? According to the research team, organic material found around the site suggests this might be more than just an Indiana Jones-style legend.
“We noticed the grass growing within the boat-shaped formation is a different color than the surrounding area,” said Jones, who believes this variation indicates a human-made structure beneath the surface.
Further analysis of 22 soil samples taken from the site revealed notable differences: the suspected structure had lower pH levels, twice the amount of organic matter, and 40% more potassium compared to the surrounding soil. The team argued these discrepancies are “consistent with rotting wood.”
“If you understand soil science — as I’m a soil scientist — you’ll know that potassium levels, organic matter, and pH are influenced by decaying organic material,” explained William Crabtree, another member of Noah’s Ark Scans. “If this had been a wooden boat that rotted over time, we’d expect elevated potassium, altered pH, and more organic content — which is exactly what we’re observing.”
Looking ahead, the team plans to carry out a core drilling survey and additional ground-penetrating radar scans to get a clearer picture of what lies beneath, according to CBN.
“We want to directly compare what’s inside the formation with what’s outside,” said Jones. “That could give us a much clearer idea of whether this is truly a man-made structure.”
