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A team of American researchers working at the Durupınar formation near Mount Ararat  says it has detected evidence of hidden underground tunnels they believe could support the idea that the site corresponds to the biblical Noah’s Ark, according to Daily Mail.

Andrew Jones, an independent researcher with the group Noah’s Ark Scans, said ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys revealed a network of “corridors” converging into a central hollow chamber, which he described as an “atrium.”

Jones linked the findings to the biblical description of the Ark, which is said to have had multiple internal levels. “God instructed Noah to bring the animals. And those animals, along with Noah and his family, were meant to be inside,” he said in comments cited by GB News. “What’s interesting is that these voids appear to form a structured layout rather than random cavities.”

He added that additional infrared thermography (IRT) scans reportedly indicated a ship-like shape buried beneath the ground.

The Durupınar formation

The Durupınar site, located roughly 30 kilometers south of Mount Ararat, first came to wider attention in the mid-20th century after heavy rains and seismic activity exposed a large boat-shaped geological formation. It was reportedly identified in 1948 by a local shepherd.

In the Book of Genesis, Noah’s Ark is said to have come to rest “on the mountains of Ararat” after the biblical flood.

The dimensions of the formation have long drawn attention from Ark theorists, as they roughly align with the biblical description of the vessel: “300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high” (approximately 157 meters by 26 meters by 16 meters).

Soil samples and further claims

In 2024, Jones said his team collected 88 soil samples from inside and around the formation. According to the group, testing showed unusually high potassium levels, which they argue could be consistent with decayed wood material.

They also claim that cold conditions in the region may have helped preserve organic material. “For nearly half the year, the site is frozen, which may have slowed decomposition,” representatives of Noah’s Ark Scans wrote on social media.

At depths of up to six meters, researchers reportedly identified angular structures that they interpret as possible interior compartments beneath a deck-like layer.

Ongoing debate

The team argues that the formation does not resemble a natural landslide or rock formation. “This is not what you would expect from a random geological event,” Jones said. “It resembles a man-made structure consistent with ancient ship design.”

However, the claims remain highly controversial, and mainstream archaeologists have not confirmed that the site is anything other than a natural geological formation.

The researchers say their next steps could include core drilling and inserting cameras into deeper layers of the structure in an effort to obtain visual confirmation of what lies beneath.

For now, the Durupınar formation remains one of the most debated and mysterious sites in the region near Mount Ararat, attracting both scientific scrutiny and ongoing speculation.

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