The map in question is the famous Planisphere, created in 1587 by Italian nobleman and cartographer Urbano Monte. This enormous circular map spans nearly three meters in width and is composed of 60 hand-painted sheets. Among illustrations of unknown lands and mythical creatures, researchers spotted a tiny depiction of Noah’s Ark placed directly on Mount Ararat.

The Major Claim: A Match to the Meter

The focus of intense debate is the fact that the drawing on the late 16th-century map does not merely indicate a general region — it appears to point directly to the well-known Durupınar formation.

“This is the same location as the Durupınar site, and the dimensions on the map virtually match it meter for meter. Coincidence? I don’t think so,” claims independent researcher Jimmy Corsetti.

The Durupınar formation is a mysterious boat-shaped structure located 30 kilometers south of Mount Ararat. Notably, the world only became aware of it less than a century ago. In May 1948, after heavy rains and an earthquake, surrounding mud washed away, revealing the outline of what looked like a massive ship — first noticed by a Kurdish shepherd.

The Magic of Biblical Measurements

According to the Book of Genesis (8:4), the Ark came to rest “on the mountains of Ararat.” It also provides exact dimensions of the vessel: 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high — roughly:

• Length: 157 meters (515 feet)
• Width: 26 meters (86 feet)
• Height: 16 meters (52 feet)

Remarkably, the dimensions of the Durupınar formation are said to closely correspond to these biblical measurements.

What Do Underground Radars Reveal?

While skeptics dismiss the formation as a natural geological feature, the research group Noah’s Ark Scans has been studying the site since 2019 using advanced technology. Their latest findings have only deepened the mystery:

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) has reportedly revealed a network of angular underground corridors at depths of up to six meters, converging into a large hollow central chamber — which researchers have dubbed an “atrium.” Some interpret this as echoing the biblical description of a multi-deck structure.

Infrared thermography (IRT) imaging has also detected subsurface shapes resembling a massive ship-like keel.

“These voids are not random. The tunnels follow a structured pattern,” says archaeologist Andrew Jones. “This is where Noah, his family, and the animals would have been sheltered.”

Where to See the Original

The original manuscript atlas by Urbano Monte is preserved at the David Rumsey Map Center at Stanford University. It has been fully digitized and made available online for public viewing.

The fact that a 16th-century cartographer may have placed Noah’s Ark in this exact location centuries before modern technology identified the Durupınar formation adds a new layer of intrigue — and mystery — to the enduring legend.